My Dad was diagnosed with MS when he was 14 ...13 years before I was born, completely ruined his life, completely ruined my mental health, and it profoundly effected my life. He passed last year at 71, MS doesn't just effect those with the disease, it get's their family too.

by about the half way point of this video i wanted to shut it off becuase it was making me very emotional. over a guy i watch play the bass on youtube who ive never met. it was really hard for me to get through. yet i have not been that riveted to a video on any topic in a very, very long time. you ought to do some acting or just read voice overs. you have a way of getting your point across on any topic that always keeps me listening very closely. you are an inspiration to know you are getting so much done but youve been secretly (to me) fighting something huge this whole time and i had no idea. ill remember that next time i feel beat down at work, or tired of im being a whiny baby. that there is a guy out there who is sick and fighting through it and is very productive and going through stuff that even on my worst day probably cant approach. i got your back brother. im sure this video will be very, very helpful to someone who was just diagnosed, in a way that i cannot appreciate. you continue to do the lords work. what you feed, grows. im going to remember that one.

I cannot believe 17 years have passed since your diagnosis. We will also never forget that day. ❤️ and then the fantastic day we got the awesome news “NO MORE NEEDLES!” We love you so much Paul/Uncle Paul! You are truly inspiring. And I love what your therapist said. I’m going to hang on to that one. 😘

I don’t have MS but I have various health issues. I feel you and your pain! Great message! One day at a time! 👊🏾❤️

"Feed the good stuff... and don't ever quit." AMEN! Thanks for sharing your story and being an awesome inspiration in life as well as bass. Peace and Love to you.

Finding the words to comment on this vid is difficult, this is how impactful it was. I love the example you are setting by harnessing your positive mental, physical, and creative energies to keep kicking the effects of MS as far down the road as possible. Very inspiring. Peace.

“I’m not going to wait for it”… my favorite take-away from your story. I was diagnosed with end stage liver disease from hepatitis in 2005. It has caused other issues over the years. But that’s been a lot of years. Several self produced albums, 2 children with my loving wife, and a lot of living. Like your story, it wasn’t easy to come to terms with, but once I did, I realized I still had a bunch of living left to do. So long-term chronic illness means you might have to re-think or re-plan things once in a while, but you never give them up. Your story makes me remember how lucky I still really am. Thanks for sharing!

The best part about having ms is being diagnosed in my opinion possibly the best day of my life. I had an answer... I lived with the symptoms for 12 years thinking that everyone must just go through this

I could not tell you had MS. I reacted emotionally to what you said because I had sciatica several years ago and I started to think my life was over. I'm glad you've got, at least, a partial solution.

I'm a musician and my partner has MS, so I'm relating to everything you're sharing here. Our biggest lesson from MS has been not just to seize the day, but seize the good moments, because we may not get an entire good day. Thank you for being strong, for sharing, and for being you. ~ Your newest subscriber

Don't know what to say dude, other than that's one of the most powerful, and brave moments I ever had watching a video. Yet somehow made me feel proud. Your articulate commentary caused me to pause and reflect on what a gift life is and shouldn't be taken for granted in anyway. Thanks for sharing, and good luck with your fight.

Hi Paul, thanks for sharing this. I have autoimmune diseases. Mine are psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. My life may well be shortened by the effects. But at the moment I’m on a form of medication that really sorts me out. It’s given me my life back. I love you and your work. So I’m sending that love ‘vibes wise’! I hope you keep well, and I hope medicine can help you fight this condition. The psychological effects of my autoimmune system diseases were ultimately as powerfully debilitating as the physical stuff. I was very very VERY depressed, for some time. Years. Bad times. I still have a lot of issues: heat issues (like you), appalling headaches (ditto). I take fortnightly injections. I get very fatigued, and yet my sleep patterns are often pretty screwed up. But now I’m happy. Very happy. Partly cause my meds work so well. Partly cause I have a lovely wife (like you!). Anyway, big love to you from us in the UK. Keep well. Keep on keeping on, brother.

Thanks from a person that's just been diagnosed 😢 ..

Thank you for sharing. My mother was diagnosed with MS in the early 80's. It slowed her down, but never stopped her, and she lived a pretty full life... and that was before alot of modern testing and treatments.

"Keep playing music until I can't play anymore, and have as much fun as I possibly can while I'm doing it, and I'm not gonna quit." Amen to that, brother. 🙏🏼

Your openness with your condition and treatment is very inspiring. I just discovered your channel today and I hesitated to click in this particular video because I am dealing with my own health ordeals. I watched anyway and I am glad I did. Your strength and honesty were a gift. Sending love and positive thoughts your way.

Thank you for all that you do and represent for the music and MS community. Truly you are an inspiration and I will share your life story with my daughter who was diagnosed at age 12 (now 26) and wife who was diagnosed in 2017 at age 51. God bless you. Respectfully...James

Thank you for your openness and honesty 💖🙏🏾 I, too, have had to dance with chronic illnesses, diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, depression, PTSD, and kidney failure 😨. I can relate to repeatedly going through the stages of grief; again, thank you because until I heard you describe your process, I had not realized what was happening to me. My nephew is working on his Ph.D. Bass and Jazz Studies, at USC., and enjoy sharing your videos with him 😊. All the best to you, my dear brother 💖🙏🏾

"Feed the good stuff and don't ever quit." Mighty powerful words for any of us to live by, but even more inspiring and courageous to hear it after sharing your story. Thank you.

You are an inspiration to us all. I started following your channel for the bass wisdom, and now I also follow your channel for the life wisdom as well. As your therapist said, “what you feed grows”, and I have a feeling your channel will grow huge as you continue to share your wisdom and knowledge. Thank you for being a beacon of light to others

I watched your "The Nightfly" video just last night, and came across this video about ten minutes ago. Prayers, positivity and mad respect from a Jersey bass player. "What you feed, grows." I'll remember that for the rest of my life. It'll probably be as important as any note I'll ever play.

We love you Paul, you’re a bass legend and don’t let MS ruin your life!! 😁👍

My 15 year old son has symptoms of MS but he has not been diagnosed yet, we are waiting for and MRI next month but in my heart I know the outcome. I’m trying to educate myself on the subject, it’s a hard pill to swallow, it’s my boy, my only son, and I’m just having such a hard time accepting it. I just wanted to say thank you for your video, it’s not easy to watch but it helps me understand this disease a little better.

Thank you so much for sharing. I was diagnosed in 2021 so it it still pretty new to me, but I am learning to accept my new life.

It’s been a privilege to know and work with you, Paul. I remember the day you posted on social media about the new oral therapy available to you. Grateful that you have options to manage your MS that will keep you sharing your talents and your wonderful self with the world. Thank you for taking time to make this important video, which I think will bring a great deal of hope and inspiration to those who are also managing MS. Lisa Hindmarsh

Damn, Paul, I never would have known. Kudos for your accomplishments, all well wishes in your struggle, and deepest respect for your courage and heroism.

Wow. My wife has MS. Non progressive, relapsing-remitting so far. Here in the netherlands the neurologist told her not to take meds but focus on food and excercise mainly, ofcourse checked up by an scan every year or so. At least, that's the choice she has got. Your symptoms sound oh so familiar. The outside temp, drinking or eating to late can throw her off ballance too. The fact that you still are able to play your basses so wonderful and express joy and happiness in your videos is both a positive sign and worth a big compliment to you! Wish you all the health and best and appreciate your closing line even more now: take care of yourself and please love tour neighbour. Love to you and yours from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. And forgive my last remark. You somehow remind me so much of Al Jarreau, in your facial expressions and your use of your vocals. It is a joy.

My wife have an autoimmune disease called Traverse Myelitis like a form of MS which came late in our marriage as she turned 38 (Her birthday is March 15th btw) but she had weird symptoms for a couple years before no doctors could figure out. A life changing event for us. She gets infusions every 6 months to keep things stable. Just want to say stay strong as you are and much respect to your wife. I had to take care of my wife through paralysis twice and I know how challenging it is. One love!

Thank you so much for sharing. I love your channel. I've had MS since 2004, got diagnosed in 2010. It wrecked me pretty bad. After diagnosis I started to exercise and build myself back up. I borrowed a bass guitar from a friend to get dexterity back in my fingers. I've been in love with the bass since. Bless you and thank you. Keep fighting brother!

I appreciate you for sharing your journey with MS . Its a reminder that we all have a cross to bear ... the key is how we respond to it . And you're responding magnificently ... it's inspiring . You're a true soldier , marching on . Play that bass till the strings fall off . Keep the videos coming ... Godspeed 🙏 🌍 🎸 🎶 👊🏽 ☀️

I've just come across your channel in the past couple of months and I thought I loved your videos before seeing this one. Your story that you tell here is amazing. I don't have MS but I know people who do, and I've gotta say I admire your candidness and your strength. Your bass videos inspire me to practice more and become a better bassist, but this video inspires me not only to exercise more and to become stronger and healthier, but to take life one day at a time and to persevere through what life throws at you. Thank you for the work you put into making your videos, and I pray for your health, strength and happiness.

Thank you for sharing this - I've been living with MS for over 30 years and can relate to the feeling of grief you describe at receiving your diagnosis. It sounds like you have a wonderful support network and a great attitude. Having discovered your channel through my own journey to learn to play despite the effects of MS, and to help manage them, your example is an inspiration

Sending all the love your way, brother. You’re videos always inspire and now I feel like I understand a little more about your drive. I count you among my heroes and I don’t even play bass.

Uncle Paul you are a legend! Been a pleasure to have you around my life all these years and here's to many more!

Thank you for sharing this, I have health issues similar to yourself but have not had a definitive diagnosis, hearing from others with health issues like this is vital to keep us moving forward and help us all to deal with our challenges whatever they may be....

Paul, this was a very moving talk - I appreciate you sharing your story. My Son in Law was just diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia). He's only 27 years old, he and my daughter just had their 1st child. It completely came out of nowhere and we are all struggling to deal with it. Your advice regarding food, health, and exercise gives me a feeling of hope and I look forward to sharing this with them. Thank you for your honesty and I wish you continued health and success.

My wife was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2005. Thankfully it hasn’t affected her speech or cognitive skills, but she’s been through multiple neurologists who’ve given her conflicting information. I wish someone had told her to exercise back then. Now she can barely walk and spends most of her time in bed. Keep going brother, I’m going to show her this video. ❤️

Thanks for that. A very happy new year to you and yours and don’t ever quit! ❤️

Thank you for being so transparent my Brother we really appreciate you .

Truly inspiring. Wish you the best, man.

Inspiring story. Keep fighting the fight man! You have my support!

Man, so true about the emotional adjustments. The dx really is life changing. A total paradigm shift. And that's awesome that you're working out. I started lifting last year and I wish I'd started it much sooner. It's the best thing!

This is beautiful, Paul-thanks for sharing like this!

Beautiful words, Paul. Thanks for sharing about your journey and having a great impact on all of us.

Empowering stuff man! keep up the good vids and I hope your life is blessed

Thanks for sharing your story, Paul. I wish you everything good and continued success with your treatments.

Thx for the story PD, you're a real inspiration! Love your videos, they're terrific!

An inspiration, man. Thanks for sharing your story.

It didn't feel right to click the "like" button on this because I definitely don't "like" that you or anyone have to experience this disease, but thank you for sharing your story so eloquently, and for not ever quitting! I love your bass videos and have learned a lot from them.

I found your channel yesterday and have been watching your videos on walking bass. Those videos are cool and helped me right away. You're a great teacher, and from what I can tell, a great musician. This video may be the most important one I've seen yet. It normalizes and humanizes the experience of diagnosis, genetics, and the daily struggle. Please make more of them.

Thanks for this, Paul. Much love.

Much love Paul. You’re officially my hero.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, for being strong and resilient, and being the excited person / musician / groove lover you are! Your videos always bring up some bass jam I'd forgotten about and constantly inspire me to pick up my bass. You are da bomb and know that people out here SEE you and care about you and what you do. Keep up the fight and know you have thousands of people pullin' for ya.

I am so sorry to hear about your MS diagnosis... I was really moved by your spirit and determination, and I want to thank you for sharing this. We as musicians can tend to allow ourselves to think of our very beings as the music that we make. This makes it easy for us to get depressed when we feel like we aren't able to do what we know we COULD. Your comments about not quitting are so inspirational. Thank you!

Thank you all the more for your excellent videos about excellent bass players. Keep swingin’!

Thank you so much for sharing this, especially the beautiful bit at the end. As someone who has lived with an autoimmunise disease for most of my life now, it's very important to hear this kind of message from time to time. Keep it up, you're doing amazing!

Can't thank you enough for sharing this with all of us. I love what you do here.

PT, you are such an inspiration to everyone who knows you. Much love and thank you for what you do!

So proud of you for making this video. Stay in the moment, and stay well.

wow- what an amazing video- thank you so much for sharing, being vulnerable and teaching us all about what you are and others have to deal with- continued success in dealing with it as best as possible.

Rock on, Paul. It's very admirable of you to share that, man.

This hits close to home; thanks for sharing, I know that had to have taken a lot to do. Don't Ever Quit!

You are amazing, so candid, informative and inspirational. I love your bass playing and educational videos. You are keeping the MS under control and long may this continue and as you say never quit 🙏❤️

All the best, I know the struggle of chronic issues, and I have a daily routine I stick to! Thanks for sharing and keep up the double bass work!!

You have courage my friend .Much love and appreciation for you and all work here

Wow- I've always been impressed with your videos- but this was amazing- so much respect for you.

Super powerful. Inspiring me to keep playing as much as possible. Really appreciate the video man

Inspiration plus! Thanks for your honesty and courage in sharing this with all of us! It’s a beacon of light ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for sharing, especially about “what you feed, grows.” Your music and your heart and spirit are a balm for us all.

Thank you for telling your story. Being open and therefore vulnerable is very powerful and inspiring. I have my own health battle I’m going through and making my body as strong as possible and feeding the good stuff is solid advice and very practical. Much gratitude for this and all the bass videos. My dad was a bass player from Pittsburgh, PA so your videos somehow make missing him more bearable. Keep having as much fun as you can. Thank you

I really appreciate you sharing this side of yourself. You're a whole person who happens to be a fantastic music educator and bass player. Thanks so much for being here with us and giving so freely.

Just a note of support. Bless you man. Thankful for you.

Mate , god bless you . This is my favourite channel this year . You have gotten me back on the double bass . Ronnie Lane of the Small Faces and later the Faces had MS . I remember the ARMS gigs with Clapton/Page/Beck when they raised funds for research into MS ? Ronnie was a really good Bassist and songwriter. Rock tour

Great to hear your story brother! Inspiring! Keep doing what you're doing!

Truly inspiring. Never give up!

That was the most heartfelt and inspirational KZfaq video I have ever seen..it has instilled a bit more empathy in my life something that I have allowed not connected with in sometime..continued health, blessings, and above all the beautiful music that pours from your soul 🙏 ❤

This is just so well thought out and sincere. I just got out of the biggest depressive slumps of my life and everything you're saying about depression looming over everything is spot on. I've been working out non-stop since then, eating better, practicing more, drinking less, etc. and I can't remember ever feeling this good. Yours and your therapists thoughts at the end were just so nice to hear coming from someone who you know isn't bullshitting you.

Glad that you are talking about it, and seemingly doing so well. Glad that you're upbeat about it. Best of wishes for success & great health.

Oh man. Thank for your open and honest peak into the private world of living with MS especially concerning a great, creative musician like yourself. Kudos to your support structure and your mental fortitude for handling it. May your bad days be less bad. A hug from across the pond.

thank you for sharing this, you are a strong person a great musician and a sensitive teacher . Glad i pus that bell, i lreceived so many great moments of music and life from that moment . thank you man

Thanks for sharing your story brother … don’t ever quit!!

Wow ! Man, you're a beast 💪🙏 Thanks for the sharing. Wish you the very best.

Thank you for sharing this. I think it's great when we have the courage to open up about our lives like this. Full marks to you for keeping going through the difficult days and nights you have faced. You're an inspiration to me as I'm also dealing with a condition that causes constant pain, insomnia and cognitive issues. It also restricts my ability to get outside. I've turned to music for solace and inspiration. I literally just realised that music could save me from sinking, and your story has added to my hope and belief in what's possible. God bless you for sharing and in all that you do.

My heart goes out to you. You are a wonderful , inspiring and important person on this planet. I wish you all the best and continued success in keeping this condition under control.

My daughter (diagnosed last year) is taking the dimethyl fumarate as well. Glad to hear you're getting good results.

Wow what an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. That last sentence gave me goosebumps.

Bravely spoken. Forge ahead. I will pray for you, young man.

Wow, this was powerful and beautiful. I love what you're doing, PD. You seem like such a gentle and lovely man. I think making your body strong so it can better tolerate everything this experience throws at it is an important lesson for all of us. Thank you for all the great content. Keep on, Michael

Great video PT, it shows that no one knows what goes on behind the scenes though you may appear healthy. You had mentioned it to me before but I did not want to be intrusive and ask more. Your as brave as they come and I wish you all the best in life.

Inspiring on many levels, PT. I'm blessed to know you even a little bit. Thanks for sharing.

Sorry for your struggles. Happy for you that you are handling it well. I can tell that you are a good person. I’ll always wish you good health and look forward to your next video!

Dear Paul, I came across your KZfaq Page by chance, while searching for Mingus. Great material over here. Congrats! Now I am right now watching you describing your personal battle against MS...thank you for sharing it. I have been diagnosed with diabetes type 1 26 years ago...a long battle. And I still have the feeling that I'm wallking through a nightmare. I trully understand you when you say about keeping both body and mind in shape... I send big hungs from Brazil! Take care! :)

Sorry to hear that, I would’ve never known. My prayers are with you that researchers/scientists can come up with cures for All diseases soon. Stay strong and keep up the outstanding work. You keep me motivated to learn how to play the bass

Touching story!! I feel for you bro! Keep up the fight! Stay strong! YNWA!!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

I never knew you had MS. I was diagnosed back in '04. Glad to see you're doing what you love and taking care of yourself .

Thank you, Paul. I am relatively new to your channel and your amazing teaching & giving. And now, this sharing and insight into your personal life. All I can think to say is THANK YOU and may God bless you, your wife and all you hold dear.

Just got on your channel recently and found this video today. All prayers and positive vibes for you, brother: stay strong!

You are a very strong person, and a great musician too...thank you for sharing...

This was real and beautiful man! Glad you're still here, keep it rockin!! 🔥

I been diagnosed IN 2021 WITH PPMS and changed my life 😢GÒOD FOR YOU PAUL THANKS FOR THE VIDEO...GOD BLESS TO ALL THAT HAVE THIS CRONIC DISEASE🙏🙏