Dream Italia – August 19

30 years ago this month, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Based on the symptoms I’d had over the years and the amount of scar tissue/plaques on my brain, my Neurologist estimated that more than likely I had it for about 10 years already. It has been a wild, unpredictable, crazy roller coaster ride.

I have always been a very strong, stubborn and independent person. MS has only brought out an even more tenacious side of me. While it’s true I can’t do things I could do even a few years ago, I am still working full time, live alone, drive 45 minutes each way to work and take 2 vacations a year by myself. I am extremely thankful that I am still mobile and able to take care of myself.

43 years ago, a wide-eyed 15 year old girl watched the movie, ‘Summertime’ and was forever smitten with going to Italy; namely Venice. In less than a month, this now much older gal, is going to do just that! Yes, it’s going to be extremely challenging both physically and mentally.  Lots of stairs, lots of hills, lots of uneven ground, lots of walking and lots of traffic, people, noise etc.  I am not going to be able to do a lot of the things I’d like to and I realize that.  There will be no climbing 400+ steps to the tops of Basilicas or Duomo’s.  But, there is no way that MS is going to stop me from having the time of my life for the 2 weeks that I will be in Italy.  Not now. Not after all these years. Not after waiting this long. Not with how I feel about Italy.  Not with how passionate I have become about Italy. Nope, I am going to meet any and all challenges head on and with stubborn determination.

I hope you’ll read my story of living with MS to understand me a little better.  It has become a pretty big part of my life, so it’s important to me for people to understand.  I always hope that my story might help you understand MS a little better, and maybe someone you know who might have MS.

Follow my blog and stay tuned for the Dream Italia story to unfold over the next month or so as well  ……Grazie 🙂