How MS helped me find and embrace my life’s purpose

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 of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2019 was just this. It was an answer to years of prayer for direction and deeper-rooted purpose.

Quiroz attends the National Multiple Sclerosis Society luncheon fundraising event in Newport Beach, California, in spring 2023.

How did I come to this place of fruition? Music was my life, but the term “starving artist” was real and other jobs to supplement my income were frequent. I loved being in the studio, but due to guidance from producers, I felt I was making someone else’s music even though they were original songs. I was led to portray a specific image and what was “marketable.” Through years of personal life distractions leading me off course, I was spinning in circles and never moving forward.

My heart was hard and my challenges left me defeated, depleted, and callous. My soul was starving for something more. My lack of faith at the time wasn’t helping me, either. As a “lazy Christian,” I was angry with God because so much was thrown at me from a young age. I was being a rebel and created a hardened exterior because if I looked tough, nobody would hurt me.

After years of trauma with no directional momentum, I found my husband, John. He motivated me to stay focused and encouraged me in ways nobody ever had. He, too, felt I was on the road to something bigger. I was diagnosed just four months after we wed. I felt calm during the whole process because I knew this was the answer to my prayer.

Five days after my diagnosis, I started A Hot MS to widen my perception of what disability looked like. I dedicated myself to being as transparent as possible to allow others going through this to feel less alone and more validated. God was shouting, and for the first time, I was listening intently. I began to blog, started my Instagram, and just put out there what I was going through — but always topped with humor and optimism.

Quiroz does a photo shoot with byACRE for the launch of the company’s Nordic Pioneer rollator.

I know MS won’t be a call to purpose for many. This is just my story. Years of acting and theater gave me the confidence to speak on stage. Years of office work gave me the skills to run my brand. Every piece I thought was for nothing was actually for everything.

More than four years later, I’m grateful to connect with MSers worldwide. Now, as a motivational speaker, I encourage you to “celebrate your mess” and know that the hardest roots produce the greatest fruits.

Today, March 10, my longtime music partner and mother, Kristen Spath, and I are releasing the first single from our upcoming self-titled album, “8:28.” All proceeds will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“You can have my body, but you’ll never have my soul.”

In recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March, the MS Community Spotlight campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by MS, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MSSpotlight, or read the full series.