Originally posted on Multiple Sclerosis News Today

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to help others in any way I could. As early as middle school, I tried to identify a plausible and realistic career where I could fulfill this desire, and eventually landed on therapy as a possible career path. I wanted to use my childhood experiences to guide other children who might be in similar situations.

That goal lasted until I was a freshman in high school, when I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). After I received my diagnosis, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field as a neurologist and MS specialist. When it was time to complete my college applications, I chose neuroscience as my major.

With my educational and career path set, I knew I would set out to be a personable neurologist who used my experiences and journey with RRMS to better understand my patients. If their doctor could relate to their diagnosis, they would have a better healthcare experience. I would also acknowledge that, even though we were diagnosed with the same condition, our journeys were unique to us, and we all experience MS differently.

I soon realized the medical field was not for me, however. Soon after this, I was hired as a social media contributor for Multiple Sclerosis News Today, where I’ve been able to engage with the MS community via our social media platforms.

Making meaningful efforts for the MS community

This position has granted me the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with one of the communities with which I claim membership. I’ve been able to share my story, experiences, and coping strategies, but I’ve also learned so much from others. I soon decided to change my major to one more based in the humanities, human development and family sciences.

Having this new position and changing my major helped me realize that my efforts to help others didn’t need to be on a large scale. Connecting with and providing comfort to just one person was enough to satisfy me. Whether my contributions made a big impact or a small one, they would be equally valuable and meaningful.

During the years I spent deciding on my educational and career paths, I was heavily involved in fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. As part of this, I shared my story and my journey to diagnosis with others to promote MS awareness and advocacy.

One of the main reasons I chose to speak openly about my diagnosis was to offer comfort to others who were diagnosed at a young age like me. By writing this column, I aim to curate a safe space for the MS community where I can share my story and help others see that they are not alone.

Advocating for MS and disability awareness has been an extremely valuable part of my personal journey of living with MS. I will never know the lasting impact, if any, of my advocacy efforts, but I will continue to be a voice for change.