Why I haven’t pursued academic accommodations despite my MS
In the middle of my freshman year of high school, I experienced a bad case of optic neuritis, which I now know was my first episode of multiple sclerosis (MS). According to my…
Authentically Human - Desiree Lama
Desiree Lama is a 20-something-year-old PhD student living in Austin, Texas. She was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis during high school at only 17 years old but began experiencing symptoms at 14. Since a young age, she has found a safe haven in writing because her grandma fostered her love for words and learning. Desiree lives her life through being authentically human in a superficial world. In this column, she will share personal memos of being a disabled, bisexual Mexican woman in an overcritical world. Desiree hopes that this column will encapsulate the captivatingly burdensome feelings of human existence, especially for those with MS.
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What I wish I’d been told after my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
I remember the day of my relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis diagnosis, when I didn’t understand the weight of what I’d been told. I was only 17 years old and didn’t know what questions to ask,…
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Finding a way to treat the irritability that can come with MS
Too often, I’d find myself amid joyful moments with loved ones, struggling to keep irritability at bay. At those times, my mind would stagger between living in the happiness of the moment or an…
Choosing, applying makeup are my favorite ways to practice self-care
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) brings both highs and lows to my life. Sometimes these moments will fluctuate throughout the day, while other times, the highs and lows can last for days at a…
After a long month, I’m appreciating life without MS worries, for now
Being diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis doesn’t necessarily mean that other health complications or conditions won’t arise. According to an article published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, multiple…
Communication in relationships is crucial when living with MS
After I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2016, I thought I’d never find a partner who understood the complexities and nuances of my condition. For years, I wondered, “If I…
Navigating the stigma that accompanies invisible MS symptoms
In the world of chronic illness, people tend to be perceived differently depending on the visibility of their condition. Some illnesses are easily noticeable while others aren’t, but both pose significant challenges to day-to-day…
Learning to embrace a diagnosis of MS as part of my identity
Identity development is a deeply unique process in which people establish a clear sense of self. Different stages occur during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The process of developing an identity has always…
Navigating fluctuating energy levels is part of living with MS
Desiree Lama often experiences fluctuating energy levels due to her MS, which can make it especially challenging to balance both school responsibilities and work commitments.
The road to my MS diagnosis started through the eyes
A patient advocate shares how sudden vision loss in high school led to an unexpected MS diagnosis, profoundly shaping their resilience and deepening their commitment to supporting and guiding others through similar challenges.
The benefits of having a cat while living with MS
Because of the emotional and mental toll that my relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis diagnosis had on me, I wanted a cat to help me cope with and navigate life with the condition. I knew…
