Faces of MS
Jennifer - Reaching Out to Help Others Understand MS
Written By Ann Farrell, National MS Society Volunteer & Event Participant
Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in January, 2007, provided a strange sort of relief for Jennifer. She had been experiencing various symptoms for about a year, and at first thought her busy family schedule was the cause, so she pulled back on some of her obligations. When she was still having problems, she visited several doctors, with mixed results. It wasn’t until she finally was referred to a neurologist for testing that she was able to assign a name to her disease and could begin treatment.
Early on, Jennifer contacted the local MS Society for support and resources to help her better understand multiple sclerosis. Wanting to contribute her talents, she began volunteering at the MS Society’s Achievement Center, which assists those with MS in various personal activities, such as reducing stress and improving mobility. Jennifer next became a walk volunteer, participating with the oldest of her three sons in the Grosse Pointe walk in 2007, where she was chosen to be the Mission Speaker. This led to her involvement in the Bike MS Ride this summer, and her role as a Power Partner. Jennifer was assigned to four bikers to encourage them in their training and fundraising, and ultimately promote awareness about MS. “I’m happy I signed up for it,” she states, “I got to meet two of the bikers at an earlier reception, so I was able to tell them the significance of the connection. It’s a very positive program.”
Although Jennifer is aware of her limitations, she doesn’t let her situation get her down. “You have to live with the day, and who knows what tomorrow brings,” she advises. What began as Jennifer reaching out for help in understanding her own diagnosis has become Jennifer reaching out to help others better understand MS.