MS "crashed" into Deanna's life when she was just 17 years old.
After waking up one morning with blurred vision and body weakness Deanna was concerned. Shortly after this onset of symptoms, Deanna was officially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Suddenly, my world change drastically. Being diagnosed with a chronic, incurable lifelong illness was a bitter pill to swallow for a 17 year old.
Initially it felt like Deanna had received a life sentence, there were so many negative steretypes and attitudes around the illness, and no one could tell Deanna what the future would look like. Initially Deanna was offered little support, advised to defer her final year of high school. She pushed through and graduated in 2007.
Deanna had a few tough years after high school dealing with her symptoms and the mine field that is finishing high school and working out what to do at university.
I spent the next two years in denial, unable to accept my diagnosis all while learning to manage my MS symptoms which included fatigue, pain, balance and visual issues, anxiety, and depression. I also had to learn how to pace myself and reserve my energy which is a hard task for a 20 year old.
However, in 2010 Deanna applied to a Bachelor of Social Sciences at Monash University which she completed in 2013. To celebrate this amazing achievement, she instantly booked a month-long trip to Southeast Asia.
During this trip I felt ana amazing sense of personal achievement and soon had the epiphany that my MS cannot stop me from achieving my goals. In 2015, I commenced a yearlong Master of Science in Medicine, and graduated in the top percentile of my class. I then went on to backpack around India for six weeks.
Today, Deanna has completed her Masters of Social Work at the University of Melbourne and has begun work as a Mental Health Clinician. Deanna also advocates for the MS community via her Instagram @circularblooms (make sure to follow!)
Deanna is also one of our amazing MS Ambassadors, she will be at the 2024 Melbourne MS Walk Run + Roll to cheer everyone on and take part with her friends and family.
I continue to improve my wellbeing through regular exercise, diet, mental health maintenance and a strong support network of family, friends, MS Plus support services, and other social networks. I am looking forward to educating audiences about the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis and finding their silver lining of living with a chronic incurable illness.
Deanna's message to all of you taking part is a simple but powerful one:
With your support, people living with multiple sclerosis can access vital support services, like Plus Connect, Plus Peer Support and Plus Employment Support Programs. Your help also brings new treatments closer to reality. Thank you for your support and remember, KEEP S'MYELIN
