Neuro Note #5 - Rachael's Story
In Neuro Aspects, we are currently learning about Multiple Sclerosis. My knowledge about multiple sclerosis is limited and I originally thought a diagnosis of MS means the end of doing everything you love. I was wrong. I chose to read and watch a video called, "Rachael's Story" because I wanted to dive deeper and listen to a personal account from someone who lives with Multiple Sclerosis.
Rachael started experiencing symptoms of MS while she was in high school. Rachael was described as someone with contagious, fun energy. Rachael stated that she loved hanging with her friends and family, performing with her high school band, hiking, and riding her horse, Sierra. Rachael knew something was wrong when she woke up one day and was so tired she had no motivation to ride her horse or hang out with her friends. She did not understand why she was so tired when she was sleeping well at night. Rachael started experiencing numbness, spotty vision, sensory disturbance, and low energy. She went to multiple doctors over the next three years and they told her she had the flu or that her prescription expired. They even said she was just depressed which is why she had low energy. Rachael and her mom knew something more was going on. Rachael saw a neurologist that performed an MRI and recommended she go to Penn Medicine. At this point she was now having difficulty swallowing. The doctor at Penn Medicine listened to her symptoms and diagnosed her with Multiple Sclerosis.
Penn Medicine specializes in Multiple Sclerosis and uses a multidisciplinary approach. They work with experts across multiple disciplines about MS and associated disorders. Since visiting Penn Medicine, Rachael says she feels like there is hope for her future and she does not feel crazy anymore because she has a diagnosis, a plan, and medication to help her on her journey with MS. She now has comfort knowing she has the support and now rides her horse so much more now after the diagnosis. In relation to Neuro Aspects, I was able to connect what we learned with an actual case. A lot of what we learned about MS, presents in Rachael's case. I learned that Multiple Sclerosis is not an end all be all. There are a lot of adaptive equipment and resources available that can help people with this diagnosis continue doing what they love. I think everyone can benefit from watching personal testimonies no matter what your chosen career is. Hearing these stories, gives me more empathy and understanding and allows me to have the tools to help someone with a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
References
Rachael's Story. (2023). Penn Medicine. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/neurology/multiple-sclerosis/patient-stories/rachael-story
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