Meet Shelly
Diagnosed in: 1992 at the age of 24
What makes me strong: My faith in God and my faith in myself. In helping others, with or without MS, I find that I am strengthened by that interaction as well. However, I could not do this without the unconditional love and support from my family and all my close friends. They keep me laughing and remind me not to take life too seriously.
I enjoy being a woman because: I enjoy being a woman because it gives me the opportunity to be an example to all women regardless of their situation, and to teach them they are human beings worthy of dignity and respect. Living every day of my life with a chronic illness isn’t easy. It takes courage, strength and determination. As women living with MS, I feel it is important we support and encourage each other in any way we can. I am glad that I have all the close friendships that I do. It’s like having a second family you know will always be there for you. As a woman, that’s a great feeling.
What my joys in life are: My joys in life are spending time with God, my family, my friends and my service dog Nonie. I enjoy getting together with friends, scrapbooking, creative writing and other crafts. I enjoy volunteering for the MS Society, at church and for Helping Paws. I like listening to books on tape or watching old game shows on T.V. My favorite thing to do, despite not having any use of my legs, is to ride horses in the mountains with my family.
What my fears are: My fear is that medication I use for symptom management will no longer be effective and the pain, fatigue and muscle spasms will be so disabling that I will no longer be able to do things that I love.
What makes me unique: What makes me unique is that I look at this disease as a blessing. I have never been angry at God for allowing this to happen to me. I think it has made me a better person. I don’t take things for granted anymore because I never know how long I will have them. I know what the really important things in life are because I have them. It’s not whether I can walk or not. It’s the relationships I have with my family, friends and with God.
MS has taught me: MS has taught me to embrace life. It has taught me to live for today. It has taught me how important it is to be an example to others that adversity and obstacles don’t have to stop you from having an enriched life. You choose whether you are going to be a “victim” of MS. MS has shown me how much inner strength and courage I have. It has taught me I am a survivor, not a victim.
One piece of advice that I would give to someone newly diagnosed with MS is: MS is not a death sentence. Your life is what you make of it. MS can’t take that away from you unless you let it. You’re not in this fight alone. You’ll never be in this fight alone.