Medical Stories - Multiple Sclerosis: Out of Mind

Summary

This video script narrates personal stories of individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. It highlights the experiences of Tyler, a former football player, and Dawn, a 46-year-old woman, both diagnosed with MS at pivotal moments in their lives. The script addresses the changing demographics of MS, particularly the increased incidence among African Americans, and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and support systems. It also touches on the emotional journey, the impact on family, and the resilience of those affected as they navigate life with MS.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker, Tyler, is a proud husband and father of three, with a notable family history including his father, NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell.
• 🏥 Tyler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at a young age while playing football at San Diego State University, experiencing sudden paralysis and other symptoms.
• 🛡️ MS is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath of nerves in the central nervous system, leading to various neurological symptoms.
• 🚑 The symptoms of MS can vary widely, including paralysis, uncontrollable twitching, and difficulty with motor skills like walking in a straight line.
• 👩‍⚕️ Dawn, another individual with MS, emphasizes the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, which can be challenging due to the disease's varied presentation.
• 📊 The demographics of MS are shifting, with studies showing higher incidence rates among African Americans and a more severe disease course compared to white counterparts.
• 🌐 Globally, MS is more prevalent in Eastern Europe, but within the U.S., African Americans are increasingly affected and may face disparities in diagnosis and treatment.
• 🧬 The exact cause of MS is unknown, but risk factors include low vitamin D levels, smoking, and obesity, with genetic and environmental factors playing a role.
• 🔬 Diagnosis of MS typically involves a combination of tests, including MRI scans to identify lesions on the brain and spine, and sometimes a spinal tap.
• 💊 There is no cure for MS, but disease-modifying therapies are available to manage symptoms and slow progression, which should be started early to be most effective.
• 🌟 The script highlights the importance of support systems, mental health services, and the role of patient advocacy in improving lives affected by MS.
• 🎙️ Tyler's personal journey with MS has led him to start a podcast to share experiences and raise awareness, demonstrating resilience and the power of community.

Q & A

What is the autoimmune disease mentioned in the script that affects the central nervous system?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the autoimmune disease mentioned in the script, which affects the central nervous system by causing the immune system to attack the myelin, the coating of the nerves.

What is the impact of Multiple Sclerosis on the individual's ability to perform daily activities?

Multiple sclerosis can severely impact an individual's ability to perform daily activities, including walking, as it disrupts the signals in the nervous system, leading to symptoms like paralysis, numbness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.

What is the significance of the NFL Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell in the script?

Earl Campbell is significant as he is the father of the narrator, Tyler, who also has multiple sclerosis. His inclusion highlights the fact that MS can affect anyone, regardless of their background or achievements.

What was the initial symptom that led to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for the narrator Tyler?

Tyler's initial symptom was waking up one morning after a football game and finding himself unable to stand without falling flat on his face, which led to his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

How does the script describe the experience of Dawn, another individual with multiple sclerosis?

Dawn's experience is described as challenging, with her waking up one morning completely numb in her extremities and unable to feel her abdomen area, leading to her diagnosis of MS at the age of 25.

What are some of the risk factors for multiple sclerosis mentioned in the script?

Some risk factors for multiple sclerosis mentioned in the script include low vitamin D levels, especially for people living far from the equator, as well as modifiable risk factors like smoking and obesity.

What is the typical age range for when people are first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?

The typical age range for the first diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is between 20 and 40 years old, often affecting individuals during college or early career stages.

What is the significance of the MRI in diagnosing multiple sclerosis?

An MRI is significant in diagnosing multiple sclerosis because it can reveal lesions or spots in the brain and spine, indicating areas where the immune system has caused damage.

How does the script address the emotional impact of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis on the individual and their family?

The script addresses the emotional impact by discussing the fear, shock, and the need for support systems and counseling. It also highlights the importance of hope and the role of caregivers in the journey with MS.

What is the role of medication in managing multiple sclerosis according to the script?

According to the script, medication plays a crucial role in managing multiple sclerosis by slowing the progression of the disease. It is part of a treatment plan that includes disease-modifying therapies and other supportive care.

How does the script discuss the importance of lifestyle changes in living with multiple sclerosis?

The script discusses the importance of lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthy diet, engaging in exercise, and being compliant with treatment plans to improve the quality of life for individuals with MS.

What is the script's perspective on the future and hope for individuals living with multiple sclerosis?

The script offers a perspective of hope and promise for individuals living with MS, emphasizing the importance of support, advocacy, and the potential for a fulfilling life despite the challenges of the disease.

Outlines

00:00

🏈 Introduction to a Family's MS Journey

The paragraph introduces Tyler, a husband and father who has been married for 10 years and has three children. He shares that he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 21 while at San Diego State University. Tyler explains that MS is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath around the nerves, leading to a slowing or stopping of nerve signals. He describes his first symptoms, which included paralysis on the right side of his body and an uncontrollable neck twitch. The paragraph also introduces Dawn, another individual with MS, who was diagnosed at 25 and shares her experience of waking up numb and her initial fear of the disease.

05:01

🌐 Changing Demographics of MS

This paragraph discusses the changing demographics of MS in the United States. Historically considered a disease predominantly affecting young white women, recent studies suggest that the incidence of MS is highest in African Americans. It highlights that African Americans tend to have more severe cases, with more lesions, visual problems, and walking disabilities at earlier stages compared to their white counterparts. The paragraph also touches on the potential reasons for these disparities, such as genetic and environmental factors, including low vitamin D levels, smoking, and obesity.

10:02

🏥 Diagnosis and Emotional Impact of MS

The paragraph delves into the process of diagnosing MS, which involves a series of tests including MRI scans to identify lesions in the brain or spine. It emphasizes that there is no single test for MS and that a spinal tap and other motor skill tests are also part of the diagnostic process. The emotional impact of an MS diagnosis is explored, with individuals describing the shock and the need for support from caregivers. The paragraph also highlights the importance of early and accurate diagnosis to prevent more severe outcomes, including higher disability and mortality rates, especially within the African American community.

15:05

🤸‍♂️ Living with MS: Challenges and Coping Mechanisms

This paragraph focuses on the challenges of living with MS, particularly the fear of the unknown and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. It discusses the relapsing-remitting nature of MS, where periods of symptom flare-ups are followed by periods of remission. The paragraph also touches on the importance of counseling and mental health services for patients, as well as the availability of disease-modifying therapies that can slow the progression of the disease. Personal stories of adapting to life with MS, including the use of mobility aids and the decision to start a new treatment, are shared.

20:07

💪 Advocacy and Hope in the MS Community

The final paragraph emphasizes the role of advocacy and the importance of hope for those living with MS. It discusses the impact of the disease on personal identity and priorities, and the process of grieving the loss of pre-diagnosis life. The paragraph highlights the power of sharing personal stories and experiences through platforms like podcasts to raise awareness and provide support within the MS community. It also mentions the efforts to understand and address health disparities in MS, particularly within minority populations. The paragraph concludes with a message of hope, emphasizing the potential for independence and a fulfilling life despite living with MS.

Keywords

💡Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating of the nerves in the central nervous system. This leads to a slowing down or interruption of nerve signals, causing various symptoms such as paralysis, numbness, and cognitive issues. In the video, MS is the central theme, with individuals like Tyler and Dawn sharing their personal experiences with the disease and its impact on their lives.

💡Autoimmune Disease

An autoimmune disease is a condition where the body's immune system erroneously attacks its own healthy tissues. In the context of the video, MS is specifically highlighted as an autoimmune disease, affecting the nervous system and causing a range of debilitating symptoms. The script discusses how the immune cells attack the myelin, leading to the various manifestations of MS.

💡Diagnosis

Diagnosis in the video refers to the process of identifying MS through various medical tests, including MRIs and spinal taps. It is a critical step in understanding and managing the disease. The script mentions the difficulty in diagnosing MS due to its variable symptoms and the need for multiple tests, as well as the emotional impact of receiving an MS diagnosis.

💡Neurologist

A neurologist is a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system, including diseases like MS. In the script, the neurologist plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis process and in providing guidance to patients like Tyler and Dawn on managing their condition.

💡Relapsing-Remitting MS

Relapsing-remitting MS is a type of MS characterized by periods of symptom flare-ups (relapses) followed by periods of symptom reduction or disappearance (remission). The script discusses this as the most common form of MS at the time of diagnosis, affecting how patients like Tyler and Dawn experience their disease over time.

💡Disease Modifying Therapy

Disease modifying therapy (DMT) refers to treatments that work to slow the progression of MS by targeting the immune system's attack on the nerves. The script mentions Tyler's decision to start a DMT after years of denial, which significantly improved his condition by preventing further relapses.

💡Cognitive Abilities

Cognitive abilities refer to the mental processes involved in thinking, learning, memory, and understanding. The script highlights how MS can affect these abilities, impacting patients' daily functioning and ability to perform tasks such as attending school or work.

💡Support System

A support system in the context of the video consists of family, friends, and healthcare professionals who provide emotional and practical assistance to individuals living with MS. The script emphasizes the importance of this support system in helping patients cope with the challenges of the disease.

💡Demographics

Demographics in the video pertain to the statistical data related to the distribution of MS across different populations. The script discusses how the demographics of MS are changing, with increasing incidence in African Americans and a shift from the traditional perception of MS as a 'young white woman's disease'.

💡Health Disparities

Health disparities refer to the differences in the incidence, prevalence, and outcomes of diseases across different population groups. The script addresses health disparities in MS, noting that African Americans may experience more severe outcomes and higher mortality rates due to factors like delayed diagnosis.

💡Patient Advocacy

Patient advocacy in the video involves individuals with MS using their experiences to raise awareness, educate others, and fight for better access to care and treatment. The script features Tyler's journey into patient advocacy, highlighting his efforts to share his story and improve the lives of others with MS.

Highlights

A proud husband and father of three shares his journey with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The unique family connection to NFL Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell.

The sudden onset of MS symptoms at a young age during college.

An explanation of MS as an autoimmune disease attacking the myelin of nerves.

Personal experiences of paralysis and uncontrollable twitching as symptoms of MS.

A woman named Dawn's story of being diagnosed with MS at 25 and the challenges she faced.

The changing demographics of MS in the U.S., with a focus on African Americans.

Increased risk factors for MS, including low vitamin D levels, smoking, and obesity.

The diagnostic process for MS involving MRIs and spinal taps.

The importance of early and high-efficacy treatment for MS to prevent disability.

The emotional impact of MS on patients and their families.

The role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of MS.

The challenges of late diagnosis and its severe outcomes in MS patients.

The importance of counseling and mental health services for MS patients.

A personal account of embracing a new disease-modifying therapy to treat MS.

Lifestyle changes including diet and exercise to manage the symptoms of MS.

The launch of a podcast to share experiences and raise awareness about MS.

The mission to improve understanding and treatment of MS in minority populations.

Personal reflections on the hope and promise of living with MS.

Transcripts

[Music]

thank you

ready to go

I am a proud husband

I've been married for 10 years to

amazing woman and we have three

wonderful children together our son he's

the oldest his name is Messiah

our middle daughter her name is Cheyenne

and our youngest her name is Sage

oh I guess the one unique thing about

our family is that my father just so

happens to be in NFL Hall of Famer and

and Heisman Trophy winner for his time

at the University of Texas and Houston

Oilers Earl Campbell

my name is Tyler

and I have been diagnosed with multiple

sclerosis

I was at San Diego State University and

I I remember being 21 years old

and just finishing out our Junior season

we had played BYU and I walked out of

that football game absolutely normal

with no issues whatsoever

I wake up on a Sunday morning after that

football game and I ease my legs out of

bed and instead of standing to my feet I

fell flat on my face

without warning like can you picture

yourselves going to sleep One Way

absolutely normal then waking up the

next day not being able to walk

multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune

disease meaning the immune system or the

part of the body that normally attacks

viruses and bacteria gets confused and

attacks a good part of the body with Ms

those immune cells attack the myelin or

the coating of the nerves and the

central nervous system so nerves that

are myelinated are ones where the

signals can run really quickly so that

we can do the things that we want to do

like move our hands or nod our heads and

so when those signals are interrupted it

essentially slows down the signal if

that myeliner that coating is damaged

severely or even if the nerve fibers are

damaged severely those signals won't

work at all

and then I noticed that the paralysis

was down the right side of my body and

then I noticed that I started to develop

a neck jerking twitch that was just kind

of like uncontrollable

I was terrified

[Music]

it was a beautiful day I was walking to

the Metro

and

I remember

the right side of my body just wouldn't

catch up with the left side it was as if

the right side would drag

I knew something was wrong

my name is Dawn and I've been diagnosed

with multiple sclerosis

yeah and how many pages was in it you

read 100 Pages

he made me do it I am a 46 year old

woman I was diagnosed with Ms at the

ripe age of 25.

I

I have one son

I was in the middle of a flare as they

say or a major exacerbation and I woke

up the next morning completely numb

and my extremities

I couldn't feel my abdomen area I

couldn't take deep breaths

I thought it was dying

I'm heading into the doctor's office

seeing a neurologist for the first time

I'm going in there dragging literally

the right side of my body

so the neurologist is coming into my

room now and as she turns to look at me

I noticed that her eyes they they jump

almost as if she's shocked or she's

surprised by the figure that she's

seeing

did her eyes jump because I was a black

male

and there weren't as many of us getting

diagnosed with this disease at that time

as there are now

[Music]

so the demographics of multiple

sclerosis in the United States are

changing typically Ms has been thought

of as a young white woman's disease and

if we look at the prevalence or

incidence of Ms globally that is still

the case Eastern Europe is the most

common or has the highest incidence of

multiple sclerosis but when we look at

the demographics here in the U.S there

are studies over the past decade that

suggest that the incidence of Ms is

actually highest in African Americans

there are multiple studies that suggest

African Americans have more lesions on

MRI they have more visual problems they

have walking disability and have the

need to use canes or Walkers up to six

years earlier than their white

counterparts I don't think anyone knows

of one cause for Ms otherwise I'd be

happy to cure everybody and send them

home but we know that there are several

things that increase the risk for one

person having Ms versus another one of

the things is low vitamin D levels for

instance people who live in certain

parts of the world like further away

from the equator have a higher risk of

multiple sclerosis and that may be

related to vitamin D we also know that

there are other modifiable risk factors

such as smoking and obesity and we

really don't know how those are related

to increased risk

so from there she she gave me a host of

um of motor skill tests she told me to

walk in a straight line and every time I

started walking the straight line I fell

over miserably right all those tests and

then she said to me

think I have an idea of what this could

potentially be

but to get a greater look at it we're

gonna need to give you a spinal tap

and we'll probably have to go through

some MRIS

so there's not one test that diagnoses

Ms but there are several things that we

do

first an MRI is key to diagnosing Ms

because we see lesions or spots in the

brain and or in the spine that tell us

that the immune system has damaged some

part of the brain or spine

the brain stem we see some white lesions

and we can see a lesion there which is

very typical of what we see with

multiple sclerosis

the doctor said I

I think that you need to go and get an

MRI

the Radiologists found something and I

read the report and I thought okay

autoimmune disease I don't know anyone

in my family who has this

everyone's healthy Dawn is bright

energetic

had it not been for multiple sclerosis

I'm almost positive she would have

probably had double phds she's just got

that much energy that much Drive

as we look back through our family there

doesn't seem to be any strong history of

Ms in our population in our family

in terms of genetic

gymnastics mess

for Ms is elevated but it's still very

small compared to the general population

[Music]

so there's some combination of genetic

factors plus environmental factors that

lead to one person to have MS versus

another that doesn't the issue that we

don't understand is what factor do

social determinants of Health such as

access to care plan that versus

underlying biologic differences and how

those play together to lead to the

disparate outcomes I don't feel that I

am the first one in my family to have

this disease

understanding my family

my ancestral heritage is rural East

Texas

our family especially I'm a father son

comes from extreme poverty extreme

poverty and so not all the time would

somebody have the funds

to go to a doctor

and so culturally

I don't feel like I'm the first one

I feel like I'm the first one who got

diagnosed

my father knew an MS specialist

made an appointment

I won't forget a day my father came with

me

and

he had asked

well what is it

what what is it

and she said oh it's MS

very with a very assured

look on her face

she absolutely knew it was multiple

sclerosis I was taken aback sitting in

the doctor's office the one thing that

gave me hope and certainly gave her hope

was the physician said to her Dawn we're

going to get old with this disease

together

that in itself

gave p-hope

I didn't realize at the time how much of

an impact my diagnosis had made on my

family and particularly my father

I think they knew way more than I did at

the time about Ms

I eventually learned that your support

system your caregivers are hurting just

as much as you are

my wife's willingness to be open to go

to doctor's appointments her willingness

to to be able to comfort me and allow me

the space to Cry tears

Ms was not a disease that you were

supposed to fight alone

Tyler and I met at San Diego State

University in college

um he was on the football team I was on

the track team and we met in the

athletic center on campus

I thought it was attractive when I first

met him I thought it was a little

sensitive we kind of bumped heads a

little bit the first year we met

um but after a while you know we became

really good friends

I actually was one of the very few

people who knew Tyler was diagnosed with

multiple sclerosis

um back in 2007.

he didn't tell a lot of people that he

was diagnosed

[Music]

we did not know a lot of African

Americans who were diagnosed with

multiple sclerosis

you know when I read what multiple

sclerosis

was what the statistics were

particularly what the statistics were

for

me as a black male with MS

I couldn't find anything

all the pictures I saw

all the research all the statistics

weren't included

and nobody looked like me

I know I'm in really big trouble Ms

affects women three times more commonly

than men used to be twice as common but

now we know the demographics again are a

little bit different and usually between

the ages of 20 and 40.

often people who are in college or

people in their early childbearing years

getting ready to start their careers are

when they're first diagnosed I was right

in the middle of graduate school and

headed towards my doctoral program

and I couldn't keep up with the work

because Ms affected not only my gait not

only my ability to

function like a normal everyday person

it affected my cognitive abilities and

so I would be sitting in class and not

understanding what the instructor was

saying

so I had to pause and I did not finish

the hardest part I think about Ms is

that

with relapsing and remitting which is

what I have

when people see you

and it's not one of those bad relapsing

days

so they can't see the disease so they

can't figure out

well what's wrong with you

you're walking you're talking I don't

notice the limp

about 85 percent of patients who are

newly diagnosed have relapsing remitting

Multiple Sclerosis which is a type of

multiple sclerosis that usually you'd

have some symptom whether it be optic

neuritis blur Vision double vision

numbness and tingling trouble with gait

or balance and walking so relapse means

they have a symptom they get treatment

and then there's the remission part so

when we think about a remission in

cancer we think of the absence of

symptoms that's not what a remission in

Ms necessarily means a remission with Ms

could be if you had numbness and it got

80 percent better you stay at that 80

percent for several months to several

years so it does not mean the symptoms

are gone it just means you experience a

period of stability

and you are so incredibly proud that

you've been able to make it through a

football season your senior year

you graduated with this disease

I'm living on cloud nine so much so that

at times

I forget that I have the disease

you're getting ready for the National

Football League

you get a chance to work out for NFL

Scouts

then you have a relapse that totally

takes the game of football away from you

completely

[Music]

you're in a wheelchair

you have to learn how to behave yourself

you have to ask help for somebody to

help you use the restroom

you have to have somebody to feed you

because you can't do it for yourself

working out for NFL Scouts to now

somebody's feeding you and bathing you

emotional rollercoaster

one of the difficulties with multiple

sclerosis is the fear of the unknown

let's do this let me examine you and

then we'll see what we see on here okay

so I'm a huge advocate of uh counseling

and accessing Mental Health Services for

my patients from the beginning from

diagnosis because it's a lot to Grapple

with we do find patients who have come

into the office by referral

who should have been diagnosed many

years ago

the difficulty with late diagnosis is

that we also find that when we look at

these groups and we look at outcomes

they have more severe outcomes than in

other groups not just in terms of

disability but also in terms of

mortality and people don't usually die

of Ms and we see that African Americans

actually die at younger ages likely

because of higher disability rates which

may be related to delayed diagnosis

it's important for all patients who are

diagnosed with multiple sclerosis to

know that there are medications

available which is very important when

you're talking about multiple sclerosis

and when we think about the disease not

having a cure which sometimes is one of

the hesitations that patients have to do

in treatment I say well name me five

diseases that are curable right it's

difficult we treat and manage diseases

just like we do with hypertension

diabetes other conditions we manage and

we manage Ms and the medicines and

therapies that we use allow us to do

that more effectively

so the course of treatment doesn't

necessarily differ in the

African-American Community the course of

disease can differ and because of that

there are many people who favor doing

High efficacy treatment early in that

group because of the risk of disability

and essentially what that means is we

just hit it hard from the beginning

there are several therapies within that

higher efficacy categories some of those

are pills some of those are infusions

and even some of those are injections

that people can take at home it took me

a long time to accept that yes

medication will help slow the

progression of your multiple sclerosis

I was in denial for a number of years

probably almost a decade

I was walking but not unassisted I had a

Mobility device I used the cane

and so after having

pretty Frank discussions with my

neurologist she pushed me to be

proactive and not reactive and not

waiting until well you're in a

wheelchair and that was the path that I

was on

bye

by being non-compliant and refusing and

resistant

I decided to

embark on a new disease modifying

therapy to treat the disease

I haven't had an exacerbation in

probably seven years

which is incredible

and that's due to being compliant eating

healthy I am very very strict on the

things that I eat

there are foods that are obviously not

helpful to somebody living with Ms as I

learned about vitamins and and learning

about food groups it has helped me to

feel better

having some form of exercise has been

helpful to helping me feel like I'm

still holding on to that athletic Tyler

just a little bit with the mess

how are you

[Music]

I said I'm going to start a podcast

I'm going to share what it's like having

Ms with the world

I want to hear others Journeys and

stories and I recently had a guest on

the show my friend my dear friend fellow

MSR today I'm joined by a fellow Ms

Advocates thank you so much for having

me Don it is always a pleasure to speak

with you

one of the most difficult

aspects of having a diagnosis like

multiple sclerosis is trying to figure

out not only who you are you're also

wondering who you were

absolutely I I absolutely do and I think

it's very common and I think that's why

it's so important that you're you're

having this discussion because

um it's one thing to be in the prime of

your life and be healthy and then bam

you're just sideswiped by this chronic

illness diagnosis but

there were certain things that now

aren't important to me anymore I'd say

and it's changed my priorities yes but I

still at sometimes

grieve the hopes I had before my

diagnosis I truly enjoy the podcast life

I feel that I've met a number of people

who are willing to talk about Ms and

willing to share because it's it's not

easy that's all I can say too

when the doctors told me

that they were going to take football

away from me after that last relapse

that I literally

told the doctor I said it's gonna be

okay because when one door closes

another one opens and I still can't

figure out how in the world I said those

words

but I think it has a lot to do with with

faith and culture of what I come from

and understanding that what you go

through is not about you

it's about how you handle what you go

through to give hope to somebody else to

say that yes I can

I was sitting in the hospital with him

and he told me Shayna it's all right I'm

gonna be okay

um there's bigger plans for me I don't

know what yet but there there's more for

me

the man up above literally spoke into my

heart and people think I'm crazy but

this is my truth so take it as you want

to take it

he said as long as you help spread

awareness about this disease

my soul will be at peace

and so if my soul is at peace

that I can keep on moving forward and so

ever since then the mission has been

leaving things better than the way that

you found them for multiple sclerosis

I was ready to take the next step in my

life towards patient advocacy you don't

really know how strong you are as a

human being until you are dealt

situations and circumstances that cause

you to be made weak I fell into public

speaking by accident to impact lives

through a microphone and a voice and I

just try to do that as much as I

possibly can day in and day out so

knowing that I could be an inspirational

speaker knowing that you can be an

author knowing that you can do all those

things to make an impact and leaving

things better than the way that I found

them that's basically what I the way I

live my life every day

colleagues from around the country

who've recognized and been doing this

work for some time came together and

founded a registry so that we can

understand some of the risk factors for

Ms in the black population as well as

understand if people are getting to

treatment in time if their diagnosis is

being delayed and to try to better get a

handle of the data and the reasons why

we see some of the outcomes that we see

so I'm very hopeful

um that there is much work being done to

decrease Health disparities and to

improve understanding of Ms and minority

populations

being able to walk again with my family

and watch Destin on a skateboard

it means a lot

and I think having him

see me in a state of not being able to

walk to walking

is

it's overwhelming

with all the other months right exactly

and they said no

I'm learning how to constantly navigate

living a life with their mess

There's Hope with this disease there's

promise with this disease there's family

with this disease there's independency

with this disease

there are things that allow you to still

live your life with Ms please know that

with this disease

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]