31 Days of MS 2023

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…

Photo courtesy of Lucinda Howard Day 28 of 31 This is Lucinda Howard’s story: I was in the first few months of my first “adult” job when I suddenly felt numbness and tingling on my skin from my ribs down to my feet and in my hands. I went…

After trying countless medications, Lacie Granstrom found some relief through diet, exercise, and letting go of “toxic relationships.” (Courtesy of Lacie Granstrom) Day 27 of 31 This is Lacie Granstrom‘s story: In January 2016, I was sitting on the floor playing with my…

Photo courtesy of Mohammed Al-enbaree Day 26 of 31 This is Mohammed Al-enbaree’s story: I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 20 while I was in medical school. During the early phases, I was very busy and so lucky to have managed…

Dr. April Bee’s mother taught her, through words and actions, to embrace people for who they are. (Courtesy of Dr. April Bee) Day 25 of 31 This is Dr. April Bee’s story: Mama was bold and audacious. She cried with me when I cried. She laughed at things I…

Photo courtesy of Lindsey Holcomb Day 24 of 31 This is Lindsey Holcomb’s story: My daughters were both preschoolers when I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). It took well over a decade to find an answer to the myriad symptoms that had come and…

Photo courtesy of Marti Hines Day 23 of 31 This is Marti Hines’ story: I have been living with MS for 4½ years now and a lot of days it doesn’t seem to get any easier. My grief over my past life hits in big…

Jessica Dubey, right, is with her partner, Tom. (Courtesy of Jessica Dubey) Day 22 of 31 This is Jessica Dubey‘s story: Multiple sclerosis is unpredictable, You never quite know what to expect or how you will feel. Planning a weekend, a holiday, or even just…

Photo courtesy of Shane Nicolich Day 21 of 31 This is Shane Nicolich’s story: I was on my first multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment for six years but experienced bad side effects. That sucked, since I’m a dishwasher at a busy restaurant and am on my feet all day.

Photo courtesy of Angie Gensler Day 20 of 31 This is Angie Gensler’s story: As a mom, wife, and business owner, I have always prided myself on juggling my crazy life. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 18 years ago on Christmas Eve after suffering from blurred…

Photo courtesy of Ashley Ratcliff Day 19 of 31 This is Ashley Ratcliff’s story: Fatigued, sore, and tingling, yet determined. Every Friday I fight the urge to surrender to my ever-long list of to-dos and the voice in my head telling me to sit this one out. Instead,…

Photo courtesy of Jarika Winfield Day 18 of 31 This is Jarika Winfield’s story: My name is Jarika and I’m a 35-year-old queer, two-spirit person. My ethnic backgrounds are Metis and Ukrainian. I live in the unceded territory of the the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people (aka…

Photo courtesy of Robert Munns Day 17 of 31 This is Robert Munns’ story: Hello! My name is Robert and I have multiple sclerosis (MS). I was diagnosed in 2008 and spent the next few years not really committing to life. I sometimes say that MS used…

Photo courtesy of Scarlett Ward Day 16 of 31 This is Scarlett Ward‘s story: My name is Scarlett Ward, and I’m 29 years old. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) when I was 27, after a particularly nasty relapse left me in the hospital,…

Chloe Murphy fought for years to understand the cause of her physical and mental struggles. (Courtesy of Chloe Murphy) Day 15 of 31 This is Chloe Murphy‘s story: I am 27, from Cork, Ireland. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in April 2021, but truly…

Nassira and her husband, Dwayne Howse. (Photo courtesy of Nassira Powell) Day 14 of 31 This is Nassira Powell’s story: I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2018. Like many, I knew nothing about the disease and was left with many questions. My first appointment with a…

Photo courtesy of Kerry Walkins Day 13 of 31 This is Kerry Walkins‘ story: At 36, I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Looking back now, I realize I had symptoms for a few years before that. In early 2021, I began to…

Photo courtesy of Amber Cunningham Day 12 of 31 This is Amber Cunningham‘s story: Hi, I am Amber. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in April 2019, a day I will never forget. I woke up on my daughter’s birthday and couldn’t see out…

Photo courtesy of Julie Wigley Day 11 of 31 This is Julie Wigley‘s story: In 2010, I started having numbness in my legs, specifically when I’d look down. I didn’t think much of it, but mentioned it to my primary care doctor during a…

Photo courtesy of Cassidy V. Chapman Day 10 of 31 This is Cassidy V. Chapman’s story: I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in January 2004 at the age of 22, the day before my 23rd birthday. It happened during my first year of law school. Still,…

Photo courtesy of Mohit Ojha Day 9 of 31 This is Mohit Ojha’s story: Life before MS: I was born into a traditional Indian family, so my childhood was a very typical one until the 10th grade. After that, I didn’t feel like studying so I dropped out of…

Photo courtesy of Mia Suite Day 8 of 31 This is Mia Suite’s story: On the morning of March 10, 2020, I received one of the most gut-wrenching diagnoses of my life. The day started off normal. I had a 9 a.m. appointment with a neurologist to go…

Photo courtesy of Derlene McPhail Day 7 of 31 This is Derlene McPhail’s story: Before my multiple sclerosis (MS) journey began, I worked for 15 years as a healthcare support worker for patients living with MS. The first time I heard the words multiple sclerosis, I had…

Photo courtesy of Susan Payrovi Day 6 of 31 This is Susan Payrovi’s story: As a young person, physician, and new mom, I never expected to get sick. In fact, I considered myself to be the picture of health. What I failed to see were all of the factors…

Photo courtesy of Natalina Larsson Day 5 of 31 This is Natalina Larsson’s story: My name is Natalina. I’m 35 years old and live in Sweden. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in June 2021. My MS symptoms are balance difficulties, dizziness, physical fatigue, tremor, spasticity in…

Mike Parker noticed numbness in his feet about 10 years before he was diagnosed with MS. (Photo courtesy of Mike Parker) Day 4 of 31 This is Mike Parker’s story: I recently was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The last few months have been tough, with worsening disease…

Jessica (left) with her daughter, Jaleece. Photo courtesy of Jessica Lovato. Day 3 of 31 This is Jessica Lovato’s story: My name is Jessica, and I’m from Utah. In mid-February 2020, I was nine months into owning and operating a full-service salon and barbershop. As I was finishing a…

Photo courtesy of Brittany Quiroz Day 2 of 31 This is Brittany Quiroz’s story: There are dozens of misconceptions about living with multiple sclerosis (MS): People with MS wind up in a wheelchair. MS is only for old people. MS is — or isn’t — genetic. I think…