Living With Multiple Sclerosis: An Interview With My Friend Dana About His Life Before & After MS, The Biggest Challenges He's Faced & His Advice to Others

In this episode I sit down with my dear friend and former neighbor Dana to talk about Multiple Sclerosis and his experience living with this life-altering disease.  Now in his 60s, Dana first started experiencing symptoms of MS in his early 30s, but wasn't diagnosed until years later.

Before MS, Dana lived an active and adventurous life in Chicago, participating in volleyball leagues, traveling the world and acting. Now he's confined to a power chair and dependent on the help of others for most of his day. Despite these circumstances, Dana makes the most of every day, participating in weekly trivia, learning to play the harmonica, attending church, going to dim sum with friends and more.

Dana is an inspiration to me, reminding us all to appreciate the small things while we can, advocate for our own wellbeing and appreciate the kindness of friends and strangers.

In this episode, Dana and I cover the following topics:
-What Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is and the different types
-Dana's journey from mysterious symptoms to diagnosis
-What life looked like before MS and his routine now
-The financial burden of MS and the top challenges
-How Dana stays busy, curious and appreciative
-What he's learned about humanity and the kindness of others
-His biggest piece of advice to those listening

Dana is raising funds for the National MS Society. We appreciate any contribution you are able to make. Please visit this link to donate: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=412519