Just Keep S'Myelin
Resources by a Multiple Sclerosis specialist,
who happens to have MS herself
Patient
Provider
MS
Activist
My MS Story
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 25 years old. Prior to my diagnosis I was a Neurosurgical ICU nurse, specializing in the care of critically ill neurology patients. This is probably why I avoided seeking medical attention when I lost the feeling in my legs. I was young, athletic, and healthy so it was easy to dismiss my symptoms as a sports injury. Eventually my symptoms progressed to the point where I could no longer deny that something was seriously wrong. After being admitted to the same hospital that I worked in for a week, and enduring a battery of tests, I was officially diagnosed with MS. That could have been the end of my story, but instead it was a new beginning.
Being an MS Provider
Medicine has always been my passion, and I was a neurology specialist even before I lived with a neurological disease myself. After I was diagnosed I quickly realized that I had a unique opportunity as both a patient and provider to have a positive impact on the lives of others. I became an MS certified nurse just 6 months after being diagnosed, and began graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner. I now work as a Nurse Practitioner in a busy practice specializing in the treatment of people with MS.
MS Activism
In additon to being a health care provider I am also very involved in MS Activism through the National MS Society, research initiatives such as iConquerMS, and by writing for several publications. I work tirelessly to spread MS awareness in every way possible! My mission is to educate, inspire, and help work towards a day when a young, invincible, 25 year old can hear the words "you have MS, but don't be afraid...there's a cure".
I also had a chance to give a TEDx talk, which you can watch under the "Webinars & Videos" tab.