It is officially Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. This year I wanted to do something different. Usually I talk about my life with MS and give some random facts about the disease and medications. This year I reached out to some people and ask for them to tell their MS story. We will have a couple of people with MS, a daughter whose mom has MS and a wife whose husband has MS. Then a couple of my friends talking about what it is like to put up with me 😆. I will keep looking for other people and other viewpoints throughout this month. I want to highlight as many stories as I can.
I am so excited for the stories that will be featured on this blog. I have not read any of them in advance. I tried to read one yesterday and I couldn’t. I started crying. My first featured fighter is Samantha Vanderman. I was introduced to Sam by her friend who is in the Quote of the Day book club with me. I had reached out to 2 MS Facebook groups that I am a part of, asking ladies to share their story. I literally did not get a single response. I told my Monday Mastermind group this and Meagan came to the rescue. Like they say, “It is not what you know, but who you know.” Sam contacted me and the rest will be featured on this blog.
I accepted a challenge last year to do something that makes me uncomfortable. At that time, talking about MS was one of the things that made me uncomfortable. Not necessarily uncomfortable anymore, but still not a topic of discussion that I bring up too often. I’m saying this to say, I love it as a topic of discussion when it shines a light on others. When it brings awareness, when it educates and when it makes people feel seen and heard. This is not about me. It is about me sharing my platform. It is about me reaching out and pulling someone else up into the spotlight. I am shining bright and I will never dull my light again because I got work to do. I am about to light everybody’s candle and we are going to set this world on fire.
My heart is so full. I am overcome with love and gratitude. Y’all have no idea what this means to me. I didn’t think I was going to be so emotional about it. Damn, this means I am going to look ugly all month. Face all puffy and shit 😄. But it is a good thing. It is a great thing! And I am happy that you all are here to take this journey with each of us. This Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month is about to be lit 🔥. Stay tuned. Stay well and whole. Much love 🧡💚
P.S. It is also Women’s History Month. GIRL POWER 💪🏾♀️
“Women make up more than half of the world’s population and potential. So it is neither just nor practical for their voices, for our voices, to go unheard at the highest levels of decision-making.” —Meghan Markle