Never Give Up, We Are Strong

By tomheb

1 min read

I was diagnosed with MS at the age of 14 and I'm 45 now. I use a cane to walk now. When I was told I had MS at 14, I was at that time the youngest ever and MS wasn't really known as it is now. All I wanted to know if I was going to die.

Never give up

I was walking to the table for breakfast and passed out. My head hit the table hard I don't remember feeling any of that so my mom rushed me to the ER and all that where I was told I had MS. My folks were crying. I didn't have any idea what MS was at that time. I've been on all the abc drugs and infusion and Rebif, too. Not easy.

I have now secondary MS progression. I tell everyone I'm a trained professional at falling, don't try these tricks at home. I'm totally disabled now and I miss working big time. I've been disabled for about 25 years now. It sucks but I never give up either.

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Kim Dolce Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="4097866" username="tomheb"/> Thank you so much for telling us some of your story about your earliest years with MS. It's heartbreaking to read about the anguish of your parents and the disease progression that has brought you to your present condition. I so hear you when you shared "it sucks but I never give up..." So many readers will relate to that. So glad you found our community and hope you'll tell us more! Best, Kim, moderator
Janus Galante Moderator
tomheb, I also would like to thank you for sharing your story with us. I know it will touch many hearts as it touched mine. Thank you so very much. Janus
f5hwo4 Member
I am much older than you and I started struggling with health problems when I was 14. Missing school for months but I was diagnosed until I was much older. My mother in-law asked me if I was going to my 50th class reunion yesterday. I told her I didn't think so most of the people I knew were dead or out of state. Then it struck me, they are dead and I am still here. I have been a gloomy lately, I had hand surgery and I'm on restrictions. I am taking my 97 year old mother in-law out to dinner tomorrow. She asked if it is a special occasion. I told her that it was going to be sun shinning and warm, I consider that a special occasion. Potter
1. Janus Galante Moderator
 Potter, I think that's a great reason for a special occasion! Hope all goes well with your hand and you heal up quickly! Janus
engblom Member
LOL I remember when I was scoring my falls/landings. Like you, I wanted to move unencumbered by a cane. Occasional falls were just the price you paid. I had to break a bone my foot first. Afterwards, I needed a boot and a cane to walk. The boot came off but the cane stayed. Life was different but easier too. This is the first stage of MS progression requiring dependency on something. Making it that much harder to accept. You are right to be positive now. I spent many years with a cane. Enjoy this time. You may not be able to stop MS progression but you can do so much now. I’m sad to hear you were diagnosed so young. I was diagnosed at 26 and at least got a taste of independence without the “MS box” weighing on my mind. And, I can remember an MS symptom I had earlier in life. I’m thankful my doctor didn’t make the connection. You must have a wonderful support system to stay so positive. I’m rooting for you.
elena74 Member
I was told that I was the second youngest person in the US to be diagnosed with MS at the age of 15 and I'm 45 years old today. I went completely blind the weekend of Thanksgiving. After going to a regular eye doctor, he was afraid I had a brain tumor and sent me to the Wills Eye Hospital in Philly. That is where I was diagnosed with optic neuritis and MS. I later found out that when I went to the doctor at 13 because I went completely numb on my entire left side, that was actually the beginning of my MS (was actually my first occurrence) and not a vitamin B deficiency. It has been nothing but ups and downs (more downs than ups) through out my time with MS. I have literally been on every type of medication for this disease however nothing has worked. In most cases, the side effects or worse than than the actual disease. I am now on Ocrevus but it is to soon to know if it is doing anything. I have been on disability since I was 21 years old. I haven't given up because I have 2 beautiful sons (15 & 17) that need me. I just wish my life could of gone so much differently then it has. It really does suck!
amylsb Member
This sounds exactly like I feel. I've been struggling with feeling guilty about it.
motivation Member
Great message!!!