Ann's story

​My journey began in 1987. I was an avid runner and looked forward to going out for that mile run everyday. There were a couple of times where I would trip and fall but thought nothing of it. I always thought it was me just being clumsy until one morning when I woke up I wasn’t able to move my left leg. This happened a couple of times before I decided to go to the doctors.

 

After numerous tests over a 3-year period, a diagnosis of MS was made. I was scared of the unknown because MS affects everyone differently. I didn’t know what to expect so I just continued living life as usual. My children were young at that time and they needed their mom to be a mom. I went to every Little League, football and lacrosse game, dance recital and choral concert. I still to this day, attend their sporting events.

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My husband, children and extended family and friends are my support system. With them, I am able to think about the things I can do and not the things I can’t. I had to retrain myself into thinking it was okay to ask for help.

 

With the support of the National MS Society I was able to get house cleaning assistance and I am now in the process of working with them to renovate my bathroom by having a roll-in shower installed. But the greatest gift was when my daughter was awarded the Petit Family Foundation Scholarship that provided financial assistance for college.

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I guess you can say thatI have a “positive/negative” relationship with MS. In the negative, I could probably write for days about this disease but I would rather focus on the positive. It has made me stronger and more aware of how one should slow down and enjoy life. I learned to laugh at myself and bring laughter to others.

 

No one knows what tomorrow will bring, so I am living all my tomorrows now.