March 31, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Choose to Live Life to the Fullest Photo courtesy of Katie Collett Day 31 of 31 This is Katie Collett’s story: “You have multiple sclerosis” were words that struck fear in my heart nine years ago. I thought my life and my dreams were over. As I learned more about my diagnosis and met…
March 30, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: How I Took Back My Power Photo courtesy of Sam Mizzelle Day 30 of 31 This is Kathy Reagan Young’s story: Iām Kathy Reagan Young. I was diagnosed with MS 13 years ago. I was so blindsided when I got the diagnosis, I donāt think I truly processed it for a couple…
March 29, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Laughter Yoga Helps Improve My MS Symptoms Photo courtesy of Joanna Hammond Day 29 of 31 This is Joanna Hammond’s story: I was diagnosed with MS back in January 2018, and I felt like my world had fallen apart. One of the very best things I did very quickly was to attend my local…
March 28, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: It All Started With Blurry Vision Photo courtesy of Carter Stough Lowe Day 28 of 31 This is Carter Stough Lowe’s story: I first noticed extreme blurriness in my right eye when I was home for my grandfatherās funeral and informed my mother of my vision problems. She sent me to her eye…
March 27, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: The Importance of Asking for Help Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wiley Day 27 of 31 This is Caroline Craven’s story: This year marks 20 years since my MS diagnosis, yet every day brings something new. Every day reminds me of some shift in life that I chose to make so that thriving with MS is…
March 26, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Choose to Believe We Know More Today Photo courtesy of @JackieHicksFondMemories Day 26 of 31 This is Stacy Barton’s story: Iām Stacy Barton, and this is my story: In 2005, I was married with two children, including an autistic daughter, and working on Capitol Hill. I had grown accustomed to walking around…
March 25, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: You Know Your Health Better Than Anyone Photo courtesy of Colin Hirst Day 25 of 31 This is Colin Hirst’s story: Hello, I’m Colin and I have relapsing-remitting MS. Simply put, MS is an auto-immune disease that makes your body’s own cells break down the myelin around your nerves because it believes they are…
March 24, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: How I Live Drug-free with MS Photo courtesy of Matthew Embry Day 24 of 31 This is Matthew Embry’s story: Hi! My name is Mathew Embry, and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995. More than 25 years later, I am living symptom-free and making the best of…
March 23, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: An Unexpected Discovery Photo courtesy of Dawn Morgan Day 23 of 31 This is Dawn Morgan’s story: Hi! Iām Dawn Morgan. I have been living with relapsing-remitting MS since 2000, when I was 25. It was a complete shock. At the time, I was just beginning my professional career as…
March 22, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Taking Care of My Mental Health Photo courtesy of Caroline Gellatly Day 22 of 31 This is Marissa Green’s story: I am Marissa, a fundraiser, drama therapist, and mental health practitioner who loves the outdoors, cooking, music, and any excuse for a party. My original diagnosis, Baloās concentric sclerosis, happened in…
March 21, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Laughing My Way Through MS Photo courtesy of Rebecca Anton Day 21 of 31 This is Rosani Christy’s story: My name is Rosani Christy, and I have been living with MS for over 20 years.Ā I have always been aĀ class clown.Ā Making those around me laugh gave me a high, and…
March 20, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: My Tale of Determination Photos courtesy of Esme Robinson Day 20 of 31 This is Bron Webster’s story: Multiple sclerosis is unpredictable and volatile.Ā I got my diagnosis in 1996. I adapted. I gave up my 20-year financial services career in 2008 to focus on my daughter. I retrained…
March 19, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: I Believe Anything Is Possible Photo courtesy of Conor Devine Day 19 of 31 This is Conor Devine’s story: I have been living with MS now for more than 15 years, which I would summarize as follows: 2006ā2011. The first five years were horrendous. I gave up, felt awful most…
March 18, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Creating a Support Group for Young People Photo courtesy of Amy Thompson Day 18 of 31 This is Amy Thompson’s story: In April 2018, just after my 21st birthday, I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. My whole world was turned upside down and I couldnāt find anyone I could relate to. That…
March 17, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Healthy Food and Fitness Saved My Life Photo courtesy of Jess Faulds Day 17 of 31 This is Jess Faulds’ story: My name is Jess, and I am a 28-year-old woman from Alberta, Canada. Ask anyone who knows me and the two things in life that I am most passionate about are food and…
March 16, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Talking About Sex, Intimacy, and MS Photos courtesy of Daana Townsend Day 16 of 31 This is Daana Townsend’s story: My name is Daana Townsend, and I was diagnosed with RRMS in March 2004. I was 23. My mother and aunt also have MS. My treatment journey started with Avonex…
March 15, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: I’m So Proud of My Family Member with MS Day 15 of 31 This is Angela Griffin’s story: I was with my daughter-in-law when she was first diagnosed with MS. I watched the doctors perform a lumbar puncture. As soon as I saw their faces, I knew what they would be telling her. Those precious few…
March 14, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Benefits Come From Simple Lifestyle Choices Day 14 of 31 This is Dr. Conor Kerley’s story: My name is Conor Kerley. When I was first diagnosed with MS at age 15, my first question was: will I still be able to play sports? I was diagnosed after three major relapses in eight months…
March 13, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: From Loss of Identity to New Life Purpose Day 13 of 31 This is Susan Carey’s story: My name is Susan Carey, and I was diagnosed with MS in 2004 at age 14. As you can imagine, it came as a surprise to me and others. Having to go through puberty with a chronic illness…
March 12, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: How to Make Exercises More Effective Day 12 of 31 Dr. Gretchen Hawley is a physical therapist who specializes in treating people with MS. These are her words: There are five principles that, if integrated into your routine, will provide a bigger bang for your buck when it comes to strengthening and improving your mobility.
March 11, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Dream, Believe, Achieve is My Motto Day 11 of 31 This is Shane Stanley’s story: My name is Shane and I am 29, living with MS since 2011. In the beginning, I experienced mild symptoms until they progressed in 2018. From that time, I have realized that MS is a gift. It has taught me…
March 10, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Dreams Can Come True Day 10 of 31 This is Trishna Bharadia’s story: Iām Trishna Bharadia, I live in Buckinghamshire in the U.K., and I have MS. I was diagnosed in 2008, age 28, after several years of vague symptoms, like feeling pins and needles, losing the strength in my hands, losing the…
March 9, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: MS Will Not Stop Me Running Marathons Cheryl Hile and her husband, Brian. Photo courtesy of Michael Moberly Day 9 of 31 This is Cheryl Hileās story: My husband jokes he knew I was a real runner when I asked him at a 10K, āIs the course accurate?ā I was running fast and having…
March 8, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Taking the ‘DIS’ Out of Disability Photo courtesy of Heather Plummer-Goodrich Day 8 of 31 This is Heather Plummer-Goodrich’s story: Hello, my name is Heather. I am a nana of six beautiful grandchildren, a wife, and an ultra marathon runner. My mantra is: Never give up. Make adjustments, not excuses. Stay positive. When…
March 7, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Being Kind to Yourself Photo courtesy of Dan Clarke Day 7 of 31 This is Heather Russell-Kay’s story: Hi! My name is Heather and I am an actor, teacher, blogger, and support volunteer. I was diagnosed with MS just over six years ago, and for me, it…
March 6, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Learning to Adapt Photo courtesy of Sandra Costello Day 6 of 31 This is Dee DiFatta’s story: Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis the day before my 22nd birthday was not something I expected or anticipated, but it has truly been a blessing. Navigating MS has taught me to slow down…
March 5, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Why You Should Get to Know NMO Photo courtesy of Lelainia Lloyd Day 5 of 31 Lelainia Lloyd is a patient advocate in Canada. These are her words: March is Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) awareness month. NMO is a rare disease that is often mistaken for MS. Many NMO patients are…
March 4, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: Finding a Way Back to Me Photo courtesy of Anita Alberto Photography. Day 4 of 31 This is Jen DeTracey’s story: Itās been over 10 years since I was diagnosed with MS.Ā Ironically, on the anniversary, I didnāt think about it. I realized a few days later…
March 3, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: ‘Living Well with MS’ Podcast Photo courtesy of Svetlana Didorenko Day 3 of 31 This is Alex Twersky’s story: My name is Alex Twersky, and I have worked with Overcoming MS for more than seven years, applying my marketing and communications experience to advancing our vision.
March 2, 2021 by BioNews Staff 31 Days of MS: MS Is a Label Photos courtesy of Sophie Brodie Day 2 of 31 This is Sophie Brodie’s story: MS is a label. Sometimes that label means something, but a lot of time it doesnāt. Almost two years ago ā when I had lost some vision, some sensation, some balance, some mobility ā a…