May 30th marks World MS Day, which is a day of solidarity, action, and hope to raise awareness for the autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system.
Singer-songwriter Chad King, who is in the band A Great Big World with his best friend Ian Axel, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was just 21 years old, and it has been an on-and-off battle ever since.
Charted Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with King to discuss his journey with MS on this day to raise awareness.
Hi Chad! Thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with CHARTED for World MS Day! First, for those reading who are unfamiliar with multiple sclerosis, can you please dive into how it affected your life personally? Hi! Of course. Thanks for having me. MS, or multiple sclerosis, is a disease of the nervous system. I was diagnosed with it when I was 21 years old when, randomly one day, my legs just started buckling while walking and I began having vertigo at random points throughout the day. At first I didn’t think much of it, and symptoms like that would come and go. So I kept my head down and continued pursuing my dreams in music. I formed a band with a friend, recorded some albums, had some success, toured around the world, and MS didn’t really stop me from doing what I loved. Then about 4 years ago, new MS symptoms popped up and this time they stayed around. I’m now having to take a bit of a backseat from performing and touring since these symptoms are really affecting my ability to do those things well.
What type of lifestyle changes did you make? After a couple of years from the diagnoses, I began to look into how diet and lifestyle changes affected MS. And things like cutting out dairy and drinking alcohol, and also making sure I slept well, really helped calm my nervous system and manage the symptoms I was experiencing.
Was it easy finding a doctor that actually listened to what you were experiencing with your MS Symptoms? There are many doctors that will help treat you and your MS. For me, it took me a second to find the rightone. I went through probably 5 different neurologists til I landed on the one I have and love. And he’s SO good and patient and smart and it was worth the wait.
You’re on the board of Race to Erase MS! How exciting! What has that experience been like thus far? You attended the 32nd annual gala on May 16. How was it? You were able to play guitar for the first time in years! It must’ve been a special moment! Talk us through what was going through your head after that. The gala was so great! It was my second year attending. I love the organization so much. It feels like a community I never knew my heart needed. Being on the board is an honor. Nancy Davis, the founder, is brilliant! This organization gives me so much hope around MS. The future looks bright for anyone diagnosed with MS today. At this past gala, I played guitar and sang a song I wrote. It’s been so difficult for me to play guitar and sing recently because my body would tend to go weak by the early afternoon. But as of a few months ago I found a bit of strength again later in the day. I’m so happy that I was able to write a song and play that for everyone at the gala! It felt like a miracle!
In relation to the last question, what are your future goals if any since you are on the board with Race to Erase MS. Any specific things you are working on? In regards to the board, nothing specific as of yet but I’m so excited and impressed by the organization and I know that more breakthroughs are on their way that will help people with MS. And I know the organization will be a major influence around them!
How has having MS influenced your music? You’ve been teasing a song on Instagram that chronicles that battle. Any chance of it being recorded? Yes absolutely. I’m planning on beginning the recording process for that song in the next couple of weeks. Recording is a bit slower for me these days but it’s definitely a priority! That song is called “All In Time” and it sort of documents a bit of the ride I’ve been on. Thanks for asking about it.
May is also mental health awareness month. How have you been keeping your mental health in check with all of this going on? What do you do to keep yourself centered? Happy mental health awareness month! It’s so important to make sure your mind is in a healthy and balanced state. I do regular therapy sessions which help me stay grounded and centered. I also move my body in some capacity almost every day. When I can feel my mind going off the train track, that’s usually when I refocus my energy to my body and try to move it in some way. That has saved me countless times.
What message and/or advice do you have for others who are dealing with multiple sclerosis? I know it’s scary. I know how lonely this disease can feel. Like no one knows what you’re going through. But you’re not alone.I promise. There are so many others also fighting this battle. You’re not alone!
Lastly, of course we need to discuss new music! What have you been working on with your band A Great Big World? Can we expect something before Ian heads out on the road with Rob Thomas this August? Ahh we’re actually finishing up some new music now. I’d say it’s safe to assume that by the time the tour starts, you can expect something new from us!
Photo Credit: Joseph Llanes
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