In 2005, at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and an Aneurysm. It was hard because I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was that it was going to change my life. As a single mother with 2 children working for a telecommunications company (a job I loved) I didn’t know what to do next. Finally in Well in 2008 I had to go out on disability. I knew right then and there things were serious. Not being able to work due to daily chronic pain I had to tell myself “girl you got this.”  I needed to find out if this was hereditary because I understood what causes aneurysms; but what about MS? I found out that MS is not hereditary and that it is a debilitating disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord and the aneurysm was the weakness and bulging in my right subclavian artery. I stayed firm… kept my head up… and always kept a smile to convince myself that “I got this” even while in constant pain. I knew that I had to keep up on all appointments and it helped that I had/still have a great support team which keeps me together.

Soon after I was diagnosed with other chronic illnesses which I thought would send me out of here but God had other plans for me. My saving grace was I started my own non-profit called “Letitia Cure MS Association.” Cures MS because that is my mission/my vision and what keeps me going. LCMSA exist because there are people (my tribe) with MS and chronic illness. I have a purpose! I am speaking out about this because I want to be able to share my story, give support if I can, spread awareness.  Becoming an activist for MS.

I am proud and strive to be that voice for others with MS so that we can end this disease FOREVER. I am speaking about this because I want to spread awareness and help others understand that you can live your life to the fullest regardless of what you are dealing with.