View of nerve fiber before and after multiple sclerosis damage.

I AM MIGHTY

What does it mean to be MIGHTY?
By definition it means to be LARGE and STRONG, GREAT and POWERFUL.

What is the definition of FEAR?
FEAR is the instinctive emotion aroused by impending or seeming DANGER, PAIN or EVIL.

Can we be MIGHTY to MASTER FEAR?

The answer to this question can be found in the tale of MY BIGGEST FEAR. The story you are about to hear is true. No animals were harmed in the production of this story.

Soon after my fairy tale wedding, (or so I thought at the time), I came face to face with my MONSTER of FEAR. I found myself stumbling and falling numerous times throughout the day. My hands and feet would become numb without cause or reason. And then, the BIG symptom. I went BLIND in my left eye. What was going on? What is happening to my body? This was my FEAR. FEAR of the UNKNOWN! This evoked many questions. What is wrong with me? Am I going to die? Can I work?
Then the answer came with an MRI scan. "YOU HAVE MS, JANA", the doctor proclaimed. WHAT THE HECK IS MS?

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - is an autoimmune disease where the nerves of the brain and spinal cord are damaged by one's own immune system, resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance, sensation or thinking ability.


I felt a sense of CALMNESS just in putting a name to all of these problems I was experiencing. I still had many questions, though.

What Causes MS?
No one is sure what causes multiple sclerosis. Some scientists believe that it is a combination of genetics and something in the environment to which the person was exposed to early in life.

What Are the Symptoms?
They can vary from person to person and can change over time in the same person. Early symptoms include:
Muscle weakness
Decreased coordination
Blurred or hazy vision
Eye pain
Double vision
As the disease progresses, symptoms may include muscle stiffness (spasticity), pain, difficulty controlling physical functions, difficulty thinking clearly or even total loss of mobility.

Is There a Cure?
There is no known cure for MS, however there are a variety of medications available that can reduce the frequency and severity of MS symptoms in some people with MS. Some drugs can slow the progression of certain types of MS.

With all the uncertainty of this disabling disease, how did I become MIGHTY in MASTERING this FEAR that now had a name? One day at a time! As I look around me, I see so many others worse off than me and I realize I want my life to reflect more than just FEAR. I want to be counted as one that has overcome adversity. For the first time in my life, I know that I maybe small, but I AM MIGHTY and with the support of family and friends, I will not go down without a FIGHT!