MS is just a chapter in my story of resilience

When Deanna was diagnosed with MS in Australia at 17, she was overwhelmed by feelings of denial and disbelief. Disability stigma put her young aspirations into question and left her grappling with an uncertain future. After a dark period of depression, Deanna began to discover the power of resilience. She found the support she needed, learned to pace herself and started to dream big again. Despite the challenges of MS, Deanna gave herself the freedom to live life to the full. Today she continues to defy expectations, prioritising her well-being, and raising MS awareness through art.   

‘At 17, things took an unexpected turn when multiple sclerosis entered my life. It began with abrupt eye pain and vision loss, swiftly diagnosed as optic neuritis. Within a month, I was officially diagnosed with MS, which now I am grateful for such a quick diagnosis period.  

Initially, disbelief and denial overwhelmed me. The ominous label of the ‘wheelchair disease’ loomed large, leaving me grappling with an uncertain future in the face of this ‘no cause, no cure’ condition.

It saddens me to reflect that I was offered no psychological support at the time of my diagnosis, leaving me to navigate the journey alone.

As I struggled with my diagnosis, I noticed subtle shifts in how people interacted with me. Trepidation, pity, and attempts to limit my potential stemmed from my newfound ‘disabled’ status. Despite being strongly advised to defer my final year of high school, I stubbornly persisted, only to graduate with dismal results. My dreams of university were shattered, plunging me into a deep depression for the next two years. Fatigue, pain, balance issues, sight, and speech difficulties, coupled with the painful immunosuppressant self-injections, became my daily unwelcome companions. 

During this dark period, I slowly began to discover the power of resilience.

I learned to pace myself, conserve energy, and navigate the myriad challenges MS presented. I sought much-needed psychological support and a chance encounter with a doctor, who also lived with MS, offered me a positive representation, that helped me to gradually emerge from my depression and reclaim my life. 

Refusing to let MS define me, I embarked on a journey of education and self-discovery. I pursued a bachelor’s degree. Three years later, I graduated, a testament to my determination and resilience. Against the advice of many, I celebrated this milestone with a month-long backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, experiencing a profound sense of personal achievement and a newfound resolve: MS may be a chapter in my story, but resilience will be its enduring theme.

This epiphany propelled me forward. Ignoring the naysayers, I pursued a Master of Science in Medicine at Sydney University, graduating at the top of my class. A six-week backpacking adventure through India followed, a testament to my newfound sense of freedom, possibility, and limitless potential. 

In 2022, I completed a Master of Social Work with The University of Melbourne while beginning my Instagram advocacy art project, @CircularBlooms. Circular Blooms won the first prize in the Barry Allen Art Award in the MS Art Show in 2022. To celebrate, I travelled to Europe and embarked on an 8-day, 100km charity walk with Kiss Goodbye to MS – a feat I never would have imagined possible during those dark years post-diagnosis. 

Today, I prioritise my wellbeing through gentle exercise, diet, and diligent mental health maintenance. Supported by my loved ones and devoted allied health professionals, I am committed to living my best life despite the challenges MS presents.’ 

Our thanks to Deanna (@CircularBlooms) for sharing her MS diagnosis story on the World MS Day map. If you have an MS diagnosis story to share you can add your experience to the World MS Day map.