My Story: Eliz and MS

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease of the central nervous system that can cause pain and fatigue, among other debilitating symptoms. In this video, Eliz shares her story of living with MS and her secret to maintaining a positive outlook on life.

Transcript

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[MUSIC PLAYING] Today is the seventh anniversary of my MS diagnosis. Whether you have MS or not, life is beautiful

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and it is still worth living. I am the oldest of six kids. My diagnosis came on overnight.

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And then also overnight my family stepped up. They came through. And they have supported me this whole journey.

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I was recently married, very exciting. And we made the wedding as adaptive for me as possible.

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So we actually split it over two days, the ceremony one day and the reception the next. And it was literally the best weekend of our lives.

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Mobility aids are my jam. I have an arm crutch that I use on my right side.

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His name is actually Edward. I also have what's called a walking bicycle. This is for more long distances outside the house.

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And it just allows me to be able to live fully, even though I am a little limited. So I have a dog.

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His name is Sputnik. And he is my best friend. You are a good boy. MS has changed my life in the fact that I--

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my perspective about life has changed. I realize that my baseline is just going to keep kind of going down a little bit.

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And that I should enjoy what I have today to the fullest potential that I am able, because, unfortunately, I

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don't know how much longer I have to be able to do that. However, I have conditioned myself to be a positive person.

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The brain will take on what you tell it. So when I wake up in the morning and I feel like I got hit by a bus, like I

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had a really long night of tequilas and lost my heels, I don't feel so good, I have to tell my brain,

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you know what, it's going to be a good day. And I wake up and I go. And I just live the best life that I can.