In an effort to help increase understanding of Multiple Sclerosis - March is MS Awareness Month
This week's someone 2 Know was diagnosed with the disease one year ago and is dealing with this new challenge the same way she handles life - with positivity.
Meet Robin Brockelsby;
"I choose optimism.”
With a huge, engaging smile Brockelsby addresses the crowd at a recent TEDxUniversityofNevada Talk (Feb2020)
Public speaking engagement, rigorous exercise, and plenty of adventures with her family - all while living with Multiple Sclerosis – are the norm.
Because Robin Brockelsby is a warrior.
"Oh, MS totally messed with the wrong person,” the grin grows even wider.
It was one year ago when Robin starting experiencing symptoms, like numbness on her face and heaviness in her limbs, that just kept getting worse.
"Things that had become normal parts of my day, like putting on my make-up, or doing my hair, brushing my teeth,” she explains. “All started becoming so difficult because I was dropping everything."
After eliminating other possibilities, doctors were able to diagnose MS - an auto immune disease of the central nervous system.
"My immune system, or the immune system of anyone with this disease looks at their brain, their spinal cord and their optic nerves as the enemy and the body, essentially, launches a full on attack."
There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis. There are treatments options, some of which Robin avails herself of - and she says the most important tool - is her attitude;
"I choose ‘can’ versus ‘can’t’ and laughter versus crying - and I laugh a lot."
She also chooses to use her voice to help others, recently speaking at TEDx.
"The biggest thing has been empowering for me to be a voice, explain to others this is what this is - and don't tell me that I'm gonna die, because I'm not."
You wouldn't know if from the horror stories that have been foisted on her during the past year. More than once Robin has been told sad stories about people suffering and dying from MS. One person even told her “I wouldn’t make long term plans, if I were you.”
The stats show on average, most people with MS live only seven years less than the general population. And Robin made sure the TEDx crowd heard that;
"So, I am totally making long term plans,” she confidently proclaimed on stage to cheers and claps.
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Some of Robin's long term plans include advocating for affordable MS treatments- and continuing to share her story - in hopes of reminding others living with the disease that a positive mindset is possible.
See links below for more information on Multiple Sclerosis -
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269
