Every person touched by MS has a unique and powerful story — whether you are a person living with multiple sclerosis, a family member, a friend, or a volunteer or the cause.
Tell us about your experience and how you see Oklahoma's health care reform. Please send your story to mireya.zapata@nmss.org.
SAMPLE PERSONAL STORY:
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993. I am no longer able to work or drive. I use a wheelchair and need assistance with my daily activities. I am blessed to have a wonderful wife who is my sole caregiver. In addition to her work as a family caregiver, my wife is employed full time.
I am actively involved with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as an advocate, peer counselor and self-help group leader. I have learned to live my life to the fullest in spite of MS, to be able-hearted even though I am no longer able-bodied, and that there is nothing more valuable in life than relationships. I ask you to support Respite Care and family friendly workplace policies for family caregivers in Texas.
Thank you...Mike Fagan, Houston, Texas
Read about others who are moving us closer to a world free of MS.
My name is Emily and I was diagnosed with MS in April of 2006. When my doctor told me what it was, I was literally devastated. I kept thinking I am only 20 years old, I want to live a long and full life and now here I am. I didn't know really anything about MS and thought that I would be gone before I could live life. I went through the stages of denial, deep depression and then finally acceptance. During the first two stages, I cried more than I have in the rest of my life combined but I made it through. When I finally realized that I would have to live with it for the rest of my life, I accepted it and read every piece of information that I could get my hands on. After reading quite a few books and articles on it, I knew that I could fight it. When I was younger, my grandmother always used to tell me, "You can't worry about something that you can't change because it will kill you."
My name is Tim, I have just recently been diagnosed with MS. I have been in the military now for 20 years and planning to settle in my home town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the next few months after I retire from the military. I am having a really tough time adjusting to what the MS could do to me in the future, but have a lot of support and family willing to help. I just woke up one morning and had very little feeling in the entire left side of my body. A little scared at this point, but I know I will make the best of it because I do have a positive attitude. Me and my family are going to walk the local MS walk this year and cannot wait to hear the stories and just meet other people with MS or supporters of the disease.