Michelle Lesmeister posed for this headshot in February 2025. (Photos courtesy of Michelle Lesmeister) Day 23 of 31 This is Michelle Lesmeister’s story: “You’re the strongest person I know — you will be OK.” Lesmeister takes her dog Barrett for an afternoon walk. Who wants to be just…
Ena Salcinovic celebrates her birthday three years after her MS diagnosis. (Photos courtesy of Ena Salcinovic) Day 22 of 31 This is Ena Salcinovic’s story: Saturday. Finally. A good day. I still believe that even though I overslept and missed the Red Cross and our weekly international cooking. I…
Ross Libby smiles for a photo. (Photos courtesy of Ross Libby) Day 22 of 31 This is Ross Libby’s story: I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2007 when I was a senior in college. I had been very sick with vertigo and gastrointestinal issues…
Jenn Powell wears her MS ambassador shirt with pride. (Photos courtesy of Jenn Powell) Day 20 of 31 This is Jenn Powell’s story: Hosting The Multiple Sclerosis Podcast has been eye-opening, exposing me to the diverse and inspiring voices within the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. Every guest I…
Latifa Janahi takes a five-day course of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in her body. (Photos courtesy of Latifa Janahi) Day 19 of 31 This is Latifa Janahi’s story: I am a woman from Bahrain Island who’s passionate about technology and baking. After working in the tech field for 10…
Dee Ecklund, riding her Alinker, finishes a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving 2024. (Photos courtesy of Dee Ecklund) Day 18 of 31 This is Dee Ecklund’s story: I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason. Maybe we have some things to learn, teach, or even both. With the…
Ronald Harris shows off his new power wheelchair. (Photos courtesy of Ronald Harris) Day 17 of 31 This is Ronald Harris’ story: Harris is seen working from home, using a desk that accommodates his power chair. My journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) began with an unexpected diagnosis…
Tom Anderson, 67, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at about 30 years old. (Photos courtesy of Tom Anderson) Day 16 of 31 This is Tom Anderson’s story: I may be the dimmest star, but don’t get all hokey on me. There are lots of us. The following are the…
Sterling Hofmeister is pictured here at 6 months, carried in a backpack by his father Ben Hofmeister. (Photos courtesy of Ben Hofmeister) Day 15 of 31 This is Sterling Hofmeister’s story: Sterling Hofmeister, far right, is pictured with his brothers and father in 2018. My name is Sterling…
Yara Essam takes a selfie in a mirror during one of her many gym sessions. (Photos courtesy of Yara Essam) Day 14 of 31 This is Yara Essam’s story: I’d always been fairly healthy as a child — barely getting sick, eating well, and constantly moving my body. That’s…
Christy Hoffman poses for a picture with her husband Mike, who has MS. (Photos courtesy of Christy Hoffman) Day 13 of 31 This is Christy Hoffman’s story: Anxious. Blessed. Curious. Daring. Excited. Frustrated. Gregarious. Happy. Isolated. Jovial. Kind. Loving. Moody. Numb. Opinionated. Pumped. Quiet. Restless. Strong. Trusting. Underrated. Valiant.
Nanette Lai locks eyes with her chihuahua Fanny. Lai says mutual gazing between humans and dogs can cause synchronization in areas of the brain. (Photos courtesy of Nanette Lai) Day 12 of 31 This is Nanette Lai’s story: My name is Nanette, and I have lived with relapsing-remitting…
Izzy Abbas loves to go camping, but he also enjoys traveling internationally, Here, he is shown visiting Turkey. (Photos courtesy of Izzy Abbas) Day 11 of 31 This is Izzy Abbas’ story: Camping — being out in the woods and mountains — is something I’ve always loved. Despite all…
Sarah Zichterman poses for a photo one year after her MS diagnosis. (Photos courtesy of Sarah Zichterman) Day 10 of 31 This is Sarah Zichterman’s story: Getting diagnosed with MS was not something I thought would happen to me at age 24. One day in January 2024, I woke…
Naty Caez shares about her life with MS on Instagram. (Photos courtesy of Naty Caez) Day 9 of 31 This is Naty Caez’s story: In September 2024, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Everyone’s diagnosis story is going to look a little different, but for me, it took…
Edward Radford gives a thumbs-up while running The Great North Run half-marathon in 2024. (Photos courtesy of Edward Radford) Day 8 of 31 This is Edward Radford’s story: People often say F**k MS, like it’s a battle cry. I get it. For a long time, I saw it that…
Amy Behimer sits in a rocking chair in her home. (Photos courtesy of Amy Behimer) Day 7 of 31 This is Amy Behimer’s story: When I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I thought my chance at a healthy, happy life was gone. As a pharmacist,…
Anne Rosales is a mother, grandmother, and community volunteer, as well as a certified Aging in Place specialist. She was diagnosed with MS in her mid-50s. (Photos courtesy of Anne Rosales) Day 6 of 31 This is Anne Rosales’ story: My handicap parking placard arrived a few months ago.
Brittany Boudreau attends the MS Dream Center of Rhode Island’s An Evening to Remember gala. (Photos courtesy of Brittany Boudreau) Day 5 of 31 This is Brittany Boudreau’s story: In August 2021, my life was going according to a plan I’ve had since I was 10. However, two days…
Melinda Livermont, an MS Ambassador with MS4MS, is shown representing for the nonprofit while attending an NHL hockey game. (Photos courtesy of Melinda Livermont) Day 4 of 31 This is Melinda Livermont’s story: After the initial MRI scans, spinal tap, and blood work, hearing the actual words from…
A young Michael Lama Jr. poses with his sister, Desiree Lama, at Christmastime years ago. (Photos courtesy of Michael Lama Jr.) Day 3 of 31 This is Michael Lama Jr.’s story: Growing up, my sister Desiree and I used to play video games and sports in our grandma’s backyard.
From left, Michael Lee Martinez and Feliciano Velazquez celebrate the holiday with their cats, Korra and Cleo, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Photos courtesy of Michael Lee Martinez) Day 2 of 31 This is Michael Lee Martinez’s story: Picture this: After stanning one of the biggest pop stars of our…
Sanam Saeedi resolved not to allow a diagnosis of MS to determine the course her life could take. (Photos courtesy of Sanam Saeedi) Day 1 of 31 This is Sanam Saeedi’s story: For years, I lived with numbness and tingling in my toes, but dismissed it as a result…
It took years for Gregory Sonn to receive an MS diagnosis. He first noticed symptoms while traveling in his 20s. (Photo courtesy of Gregory Sonn) Day 31 of 31 This is Gregory Sonn’s story: My name is Gregory and I’m currently living in the unincorporated area of Roseville, near…
Lynne Denise, right, and her dad, Don Collins, attend last year’s MS walk in Edwardsville, Illinois. (Photos courtesy of Lynne Denise) Day 30 of 31 This is Lynne Denise’s story: Hello, multiple sclerosis (MS) warriors! My name is Lynne Brush, and I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting…
Day 29 of 31 This is Mike and Jenn Powell’s story, as a conversation: Jenn and Mike Powell stand with their dog, Skye, in Laguna Beach in November 2023. (Photo by Vicki Shequin) Jenn Powell: My husband, Mike, hates multiple sclerosis (MS). There was a…
Kelly Earley teaches family and consumer sciences at a middle school. (Photos courtesy of Kelly Earley) Day 28 of 31 This is Kelly Earley’s story: I have been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) since I was 17 years old but was only officially diagnosed when I was 24…
Jen Willis treks to the Lobuche high camp in the Everest region in Nepal. (Photos courtesy of Jen Willis) Day 27 of 31 This is Jen Willis’ story: It was June 12, 2008. I was 37 years old and had given birth to my third child just six days…
Sabrina says she made important lifestyle changes after her MS diagnosis. (Photos courtesy of Sabrina) Day 26 of 31 This is Sabrina’s story: My name is Sabrina, and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2016, when I was 23. (Editor’s note: Sabrina asked that her…
Rochelle waits for a virtual appointment with her doctor in 2020. (Photos courtesy of Rochelle) Day 25 of 31 This is Rochelle’s story: I’m writing this on the anniversary of “that day.” I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, or RRMS, in March 2020. How fitting that I…
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