My mountain started in 2005. Engaged in February, diagnosed in April, spinal tap, and MRI confirmed MS in June. Married in July.
WOW! What a year, right?
The years to follow went from a new beginning to a depressing end in January, 2008. Divorced again for the second time, two young children and alone. Picking up the pieces was probably the easy part. Finding someone to help give me my injections was the hard and embarrassing part. Still fairly young, I want to enjoy my life that has had many obstacles. Not only do I have MS, I also have RA and Fibro (diagnosed at 10), IBS and anxiety. Lost my job in 2011. Now waiting to see if SSDI says I qualify.
I truly miss working and being active, but do not miss the headaches and stress. (Not that this past year hasn’t been full of all that.) I see, hear and read about people with MS and all they do. Such success stories. Hoping one day I will get a change to be one of those success stories. SO many people and the MS Society have helped me over the years.
My plan is to pay it forward when I get the chance. No one should live with MS or with any chronic disease or illness.
HOPE. PRAY. BELIEVE.
Sheri Tuggle
I was diagnosed with MS in 2003. Since, I have become a snowboarding instructor, summited Mt Washington NH in January (in 50 mile an hour winds!), and I’m off to Everest Base Camp in October with a Canadian association called MS Climb. The goals after: Glacier travel training on Mt Baker, Mt. Rainier, Logan, Kili and Aconcagua…
I don’t think all 7 summits are in the works right now, but I’ve still got a few good years!
By the way, I’m numb on my left, from to to knee, and I get spasms in my right arm on those fatigue days…A But we climb on!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM2lpDRB3CI
Martin Laniel
I remind myself that I was not diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1993, I only have MS, but – most importantly – MS does not have me!
My only goal, like yours, is to try and help others with MS or any other chronic illness realize that the disease does not have to stop them unless they let it. I will say that before being diagnosed with MS I lost a considerable amount of weight and, although I have never been a runner, decided to start training for a 5K, but have stopped since diagnosis. Your talk yesterday gave me motivation that I can still make that happen one day, and for that I thank you!
Wendy, Your accomplishments are truly inspiring. I am a mountaineer who suffered a stroke 8 months ago at age 49. I too have climbed Kilimanjaro. I have since recovered and am trying to run longer distances (I just got up to 4 miles), but I have recently hurt my knee More…
I have been experiencing chronic pain in my left side for 6 years now. My doctors have had to work very hard to determine why (75 ER visits and counting!). I don’t have MS, but the diagnosis is Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). My nerves are hyper-sensitive from the accumulation More…
Hi Wendy, I attended the MS meeting in Redondo Beach and heard you present. I had signed up for the session, but it was not till I read who the speakers were going to be that I made sure that I attended. I was diagnosed back in 2006.A Since then More…
Dear Wendy, I attended your inspirational talk at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle on 10/13/10.A I was in total awe of your stats: first woman this, first woman with MS to do that.A On my drive home I thought, I want to be the first woman to do something!A More…
Hi Wendy, Like you, I also love the challenge of hiking the 7 summits.A I have completed Kili and Elbrus and am hiking the Polish Traverse on Aconcagua in January, 2011.A I have hiked the New England 100 highest in the last few years and now go to the Adirondacks More…
My mountain is being a mother and wanting to have children. When you were in MN we spoke briefly about what it means to go off your medication while trying to become pregnant and the risks it involves. Well, I wanted to tell you that a month later I am More…
