Bionews Staff,  writers and editors—

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…

Desiree Lama graduates from the University of Texas at Austin. (Photos courtesy of Desiree Lama) Day 24 of 31 This is Desiree Lama’s story: My journey with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) began when I was only 14 years old. I can vividly recall the smells, sights (or lack…

Kathy Young toasts a beautiful day with a glass of red wine in her backyard. (Photos courtesy of Kathy Young) Day 23 of 31 This is Kathy Young’s story: I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2008. It took about a month to get the diagnosis which,…

Kristin Hardy considers herself happy and healthy — absent 22 years with PPMS, of course. (Photos courtesy of Kristin Hardy) Day 22 of 31 This is Kristin Hardy’s story: In 2001, I started experiencing symptoms of what rapidly manifested as primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Like a…

A smile is the best cure, says Natalia Ancora. Every time you fall, just get up, smile, and keep going! (Photos courtesy of Natalia Ancora) Day 21 of 31 This is Natalia Ancora’s story: Hello, MS Fam! My name is Natalia, and I live in beautiful Australia. I…

Damian Washington is pictured shooting a music video. (Photos courtesy of Damian Washington) Day 20 of 31 This is Damian Washington’s story: Having multiple sclerosis (MS) is a terrible way to meet wonderful people. The type of camaraderie that some MSers share leads to some of the most…

Angie Gensler became a certified MS fitness specialist, personal trainer, and health coach in the past five years. She led the fitness training alongside her mentor and friend David Lyons at the 2023 MSFC Training Camp in Palm Springs, California. (Photos courtesy of Angie Gensler) Day 19 of 31…

Nora Cherubini poses with Stanley, her service dog, during a beach walk. (Photos courtesy of Nora Cherubini) Day 18 of 31 This is Nora Cherubini’s story: “Thank God it’s not MS … because you would wind up in a wheelchair.” This is what a neurologist told me after…

Cathy Chester has been living with MS symptoms for more than 40 years. (Photos courtesy of Cathy Chester) Day 17 of 31 This is Cathy Chester’s story: My story with multiple sclerosis (MS) started more than 40 years ago when a car accident left me with a concussion,…

Ahna Crum wears glasses with orange lenses and prisms to correct for color discrepancy, contrast loss, and double vision. (Photos by Sarah Brewington) Day 16 of 31 This is Ahna Crum’s story: “A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.”…

Leigh Anne Nelson wears the jersey of her favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. (Photos by Brett Nelson) Day 15 of 31 This is Leigh Anne Nelson’s story: During my first experience with what I believe was an MS-related illness in 1996, I had numbness and loss…

Surjeet Kaur’s MS journey involves sacrifice, but also awareness and positivity. (Photos courtesy of Surjeet Kaur) Day 14 of 31 This is Surjeet Kaur’s story: It was an ordinary day in November 2012 when I woke up with a stiff neck. I tried to brush this off thinking I…

Alex Ramirez stands outside of his home. (Photos courtesy of Alex Ramirez) Day 13 of 31 This is Alex Ramirez’s story: In January 2018, I started to feel terrible in a way I can’t put into words. I went to the hospital, and after multiple MRIs, I was prescribed…

Did you know that sunflowers symbolize hidden disabilities? Deanna Renee reflects on her achievements while eagerly anticipating the future. (Photos courtesy of Deanna Renee) Day 12 of 31 This is Deanna Renee’s story: At 17, when a neurologist delivered my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), it felt like…

Faith Agauas takes a stroll by the waterfront. (Photos courtesy of Faith Agauas) Day 11 of 31 This is Faith Agauas’ story: My 70 years of life have been an amazing journey. I grew up in Detroit in a neighborhood filled with love and protection, music from Motown, and…

Brittany Quiroz poses in a self-promotion photo for AHotMS.com. (Photos courtesy of Brittany Quiroz) Day 10 of 31 This is Brittany Quiroz’s story: It’s uncommon for your brain to willingly transition utter disaster into a greater purpose or even God’s calling for you. But for me, my diagnosis…

Tori Henderson receives her monthly infusion at an appointment. (Photos courtesy of Tori Henderson) Day 9 of 31 This is Tori Henderson’s story: Henderson, left, poses with her daughter, Kerriyah, for her birthday at Disney World. Thanksgiving 2017 will forever hold a special place in my memories. I…

Amanda Olivier, left, and Sagirah Ahmed Norris pose with their medals at the Athletes with Disabilities Half Marathon in The Woodlands, Texas, in 2023. (Photos courtesy of Amanda Olivier and Sagirah Ahmed Norris) Day 8 of 31 This is Amanda Olivier and Sagirah Ahmed Norris’ story: AO: I awoke…

Antonio Perez walks with his cane in the summer of 2022, saying his illness wasn’t that bad during that time. (Photos courtesy of Antonio Perez) Day 7 of 31 This is Antonio Perez’s story: Perez enjoys a glass of red wine. Hello, my name is Antonio Perez and…

Sam Roman, MD, travels to Montana to conduct home visits for patients enrolled in the TREAT-MS clinical trial. (Photos courtesy of Sam Roman) Day 6 of 31 This is Sam Roman’s story: It was during a particularly stressful period of medical school in 2015 when I had my first…

Julie Stamm was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007. (Courtesy of Colorado Parent magazine) Day 5 of 31 This is Julie Stamm’s (@iamstamm) story: I was officially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) on Jan. 8, 2007. While I can date my symptoms back to six years before that,…

Bethany Carman runs her first 10K at the Mornington Running Festival in Australia. (Photos courtesy of Bethany Carman) Day 4 of 31 This is Bethany Carman’s story: Hello, I’m Beth. I’m 30 years old, based in Melbourne, Australia, and I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS)…

Sarah Doherty is shown in a selfie. (Photos courtesy of Sarah Doherty) Day 3 of 31 This is Sarah Doherty’s story: I never in a million years expected to have to deal with a chronic health diagnosis at age 28. What started as the loss of vision in…

Alexis Mendiola is shown during a treatment infusion in March 2023. (Photos courtesy of Alexis Mendiola) Day 2 of 31 This is Alexis Mendiola’s story: March 2021 will forever be bittersweet to me. Though my heart sank when my neurologist said those words we all hate to hear, I…

Getrude Kamuyu, in her cap and gown, stands with her mother, Grace Kamuyu. (Photos courtesy of Getrude Kamuyu) Day 1 of 31 This is Getrude Kamuyu’s story: At Easter in 2022, I developed sudden pain in my left eye. Then blindness started to creep in, moving in quickly. Three…

My name is Dave and I’m Beth Shorthouse-Ullah’s husband. We had spoken about the possibility of writing a column that looks at the experiences of partners of people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). But instead of sharing a thought-provoking piece from another perspective, today I sadly announce that Beth…

Photo courtesy of Suni Conway Day 31 of 31 This is Suni Conway’s story: I spent seven years battling strange and unexplainable symptoms with little support and even less hope that things would get better. When asking for help, I was doubted and made to feel just as…

Photo courtesy of Kellie Alderton Day 30 of 31 This is Kellie Alderton‘s story: I was 17 years old in 1988 when my body just stopped working. I had played softball for over a decade, but at my first practice that season I missed an easy fly…

Photo courtesy of Samantha Zarek Day 29 of 31 This is Samantha Zarek’s story: July 26, 2006 is a date I will always remember: That was the onset of my symptoms. My mom had emergency surgery that morning and when I told her that I saw two of…