Tampa Bay Times: How my own multiple sclerosis is helping me help others
May 30 is World Multiple Sclerosis Day and, as someone with this diagnosis who is dedicated to helping others, it is important for me to raise awareness this time of year.
Since graduating in December with my Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Florida, my work has shifted from the classroom to the national stage. As an adaptive equipment education consultant for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and a contributor to MS Focus Magazine, I am redefining the gold standard for occupational therapy Multiple Sclerosis support.
I was recently selected for a competitive award to attend the CMSC Annual Meeting at the end of this month, where I will join the MS Mentorship Forum to engage with the leaders shaping the future of MS care.
When I started the University of Florida occupational therapy program, I envisioned supporting patients through their hardest moments — restoring function, confidence and independence through evidence-based intervention. I did not realize then that my greatest clinical insight would come not from a textbook but from my own nervous system.
In 2023, while in the midst of my doctoral training, I began experiencing neurological symptoms that led to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, or MS. Navigating that experience alongside my clinical training reshaped how I understand both health care and the role of occupational therapy in daily life.
As a first-generation American and college student, I found myself navigating a complex health care labyrinth without a roadmap. While my family cared deeply, there was a profound cultural and informational gap in understanding how to support a chronic neurological condition.