Angie Roberts
March 31st, 2008
I am 39 years old and am happily married with 2 children. My story begins last year when I found out I had Multiple Sclerosis (MS). My diagnosis and the series of events that I experienced were quite a whirlwind, which is finally becoming a comfortable reality.
It all began with an incredible eye ache. I suffered for about a week. Then I went to an evening engagement where I drank several glasses of wine. I recall that detail due to the fact that my head stopped pounding. I felt cured, until the next morning. Then I assumed that I was experiencing a hangover but the following day, the ache was still there. I called my doctor, who then referred me to an eye doctor. I went that day. After a “light” exam, I was asked if I new what MS was? Of course I knew due to the fact that my dad has been suffering that disease for years. (more…)
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Laurie Wheeler-Snyder
March 14th, 2008
I am writing regarding how you have inspired me to take action with my own health. You have given me hope that in the future, prescription drugs will remain available for the uninsured. Furthermore, it is with new technology and research that we’re finding more medicines to help people like me overcome disease.
I became a survivor of heart disease on January 5, 1965. I was born on February 10, 1963. Heart disease did not stop me from being an athlete, graduating from college in 3 1/2 years, with a degree in Marketing, and a minor in education. I am an open-heart surgery survivor from the 60’s and after having my children, I suffered from a TIA and a stroke. To look at me on the outside you would never know I have ever had a problem. When the TIA’s were first diagnosed in 1994 the doctors told me I probably had Multiple Sclerosis. The shock of this diagnosis was furthered by the stress and painful process of looking for answers as to what was going on with my body. This stress continued until I had a stroke in 1997. I am one of the first generations of women having children who had open-heart surgery. (more…)
Posted in Heart Disease & Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis | 9 Comments »
Amy Wall
March 10th, 2008
I remember very clearly, it was Thanksgiving 1999 at my grandparents’ house when I first noticed my toes were numb. Over the next month, that numbness took over my right leg and crept into my left leg too. Looking back, I should have also noticed that I was tired all the time, losing my balance and misspeaking or jumbling my words – at the time I thought I was just tired and stressed from working two jobs. I would never have predicted that these seemingly unrelated symptoms would lead to almost a year of tests and a final diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
When I was diagnosed, I knew almost nothing about MS. My neurologist at the time told me that I would in all likelihood wind up in a wheelchair like Annette Funicello, not something a 25-year old wants to hear! I had five-year plans, ten-year plans, places to go, things I wanted to see and do – I did not want to be limited by a chronic illness that is hardly understood in the medical community, much less by employers, family members and friends. (more…)
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Montel Williams
February 21st, 2008
When the neurologist said the words - “You have MS,” it hit me like a brick. I thought the diagnosis was a death sentence. I’d heard of multiple sclerosis, but I didn’t really know what it was. I knew it meant excruciating pain and that eventually I could lose control of my body. I also knew there was no cure. That was enough to plunge me into the depths of despair. During the next two months, I experienced the lowest moments of my life. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. I became so despondent that I considered ending it all. (more…)
Posted in Multiple Sclerosis, Neurological Disorders | 1 Comment »
Hallie Anne Day
September 6th, 2007
In early April 2005 I had a dizzy spell at work. Just a few days later came a horrible headache which lasted more than a week, and my vision began to gray and disappear. I was constantly exhausted and weak. My doctor sent me for the first of what became a series of tests to determine what was wrong. In the middle of all this my employer let me go so I lost my job, health insurance and prescription coverage all in the same day. My life changed in an instant, and I was immediately afraid. (more…)
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