My graduation ceremony at the University of Texas at Austin had just ended, and there were swarms of people everywhere I looked. I was sweating profusely in the summer heat and overstimulated by the large crowds. Thankfully, my mom called to tell me where my family was waiting for me.
community
In case there was any confusion, “Chairborne” is not an advice column. Well, not the kind of advice that comes from raw wisdom, anyway. Most of my lessons are closer to cautionary tales than anything else. The only reason I can suggest avoiding any mistake is because I’ve already…
Given how much my life has changed because of multiple sclerosis (MS), anytime an opportunity arises for me to support an MS charity, I jump at the chance — figuratively, of course. I recently learned that the MS Society UK is organizing another of its zip line…
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to relearn how to walk. Learning to walk is a milestone accomplishment. But as you age, life finds ways to knock you down. Injuries, sprains, or broken bones may keep you immobile while you’re waiting for your body to recover.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to diagnose and monitor the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). We patients can expect to have regular MRIs, although the frequency will depend on our age and disease stability. It’s important that we be comfortable during the procedure, as it…
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…
I used to think I was immune to illness. Getting sick was what my patients did. My multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis turned this belief, and many others, upside down. When the chaos of the diagnosis settled, I realized that becoming a patient was the most profound lesson I could…
The Cambridge Dictionary defines awareness as “knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation or subject at the present time based on information or experience.” That definition perfectly matches the stages of my personal awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS). I don’t recall hearing much, if anything, about…
Where does the time go? Six months had passed since my last treatment, which meant it was time for another. After my August 2022 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), I was given only one option for treatment: Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), which is a disease-modifying therapy that’s used…
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…
Almost all of the nearly 700 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Italy who responded to a patient survey reported at least one unmet MS care need — ranging from insufficient access to primary care, social interactions, assistance, doctor-patient relationships, and information about the neurodegenerative disease. More than half…
My adolescent years can be characterized by a series of naps, long-lasting migraines, always being sick, and never being able to donate blood, which my family and I never understood. My journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) started long before my diagnosis in 2016. Let me set the…
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,…
I have not been kind to my body over the years. I was very active in my old life, although I was a little clumsy even before multiple sclerosis (MS) started affecting my balance. Active and clumsy aren’t a great combination. I accumulated plenty of bumps and bruises along…
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…
As an active 3-year-old, I spent every minute of recess on the monkey bars. I was hyperfocused on getting to the other side. I’d fall and try again until my hands blistered from the hot metal in the Florida sun, and then repeat this cycle the next day. Grit is…
Hi! I’m new — not to having multiple sclerosis (MS), but to being a columnist. I’m a daughter, wife, mother of two young adults, dog mom, sister, aunt, friend, college professor, pharmacist, avid reader, nature lover, and an MS warrior. I was diagnosed with MS in 2014, although…
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…
Aside from a few unpleasant moments, I enjoyed my time as a medic in the U.S. military — so much so that when I began to slow down noticeably, I decided to continue in that field by applying to become a physician assistant (PA). I initially wanted to…
At the age of 40, I’ve never passed my driving test. I know that’s shocking. Here in the United Kingdom, we must pass two sections to be licensed to drive: a theory test and the practical test. I’ve passed the theory part three times but was never able to pass…
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…
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…
The U.S. military loves abbreviations and acronyms. So many of these are learned during a soldier’s first year that, to civilians, a conversation between service members might sound like a foreign language. It can be amusing, but the intention of this method of condensing words is not to confuse. It’s…
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,…
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…
Multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurodegenerative disease thought to affect more than 1.8 million people globally, can impact many aspects of daily life. So for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, observed each March, this year’s focus is on the MS experience and the importance of social connections. Multiple Sclerosis…
There are several good reasons why you won’t see me in television commercials for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments anytime soon. For one, I’m not much of an actor, despite my brief moment of high school fame. For another, even though I wouldn’t go so far as to say that…
We’ve all heard comments from people who aren’t educated about multiple sclerosis (MS). Some that I’ve heard include “My friend had that and is fine now,” “Eating better will fix you,” and “Try a parasite cleanse.” I have to chuckle at these statements. With March not far away,…