Meet Natasha Frechette, diagnosed in 2007
For six months, Natasha Frechette experienced a strange sensation in her right hand and her dexterity slowly deteriorated. The symptoms only worsened, which prompted her to see a neurologist. In October 2007, Frechette was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic often disease of the central nervous system.
But Frechette isn’t one to sit still for too long.
“I didn’t feel sorry for myself,” she said. “I just started researching everything I could.”
Just one week after her diagnosis, Frechette registered as a team captain for Walk MS: Christopher & Banks Twin Cities Walk presented by Anchor Bank. By November, 45 of her friends and family had joined her team, which she named Delicate Flowers.
Frechette has kept a positive outlook through the challenges of her diagnosis. “Losing independence is tough,” she said. “But by working harder at everything I do makes me stronger.”
She plans to give it her all at Walk MS 2009. Last year she walked three of the six miles and this year, intends to conquer the entire route. “Crossing the finish line was an amazing and powerful experience,” Frechette said. “Walk MS was the perfect way to get involved after my diagnosis.”
Frechette is also sharing her personal story as part of the Minnesota Chapter’s “Why Women?” educational campaign, which explores gender differences in MS and shares the stories of 12 strong women living with the disease.