"Unmasking MS: Navigating Life's Unexpected Challenge(s)"

"The Unseen Battle:  Living with an invisible disease.

In this Blog, I want to shed some light on the daily struggles of living with Multiple Sclerosis also known as (MS), a disease often hidden beneath a facade of normalcy.  Join me, a man, a husband, a father, a veteran, a grandfather and business owner as I attempt to peel back the layers and share my personal experiences, triumphs and setbacks in navigating life in each of these areas with an invisible illness.

Together let's raise awareness, break stereotypes and build a supportive community for those facing similar challenges.  As we unmask (mainly me sharing with you until you feel comfortable to share) I want to ensure we first address the dark cloud hiding the sunshine in the title of my Blog "Unmasking MS: Life's Unexpected Challenge (s). 

MS, now that I have come to know the name of the invisible disease that had covered my sunshine like the weather sometimes does, I look back now on why a group of people (doctors, military, and myself) could so easily not see that something was wrong.  

Probably because of who and how I was groomed to be as a young man, to fight through no matter what I felt. It took nearly 21 years for anyone, including myself, to know that something was seriously wrong after going blind twice, or unable to hold my head up, move my limbs or gather my thoughts let alone communicate them as I see them in my head during this period; "the invisible disease" finally revealed its name to me in 2007.

I can now remember and reflect on the times as a young freshman in the Navy Junior ROTC Program in Highschool moving through the yearly ranks to XO (2nd in command) and Drill Team Commander, featured in the local newspaper and on the live news channels on holidays as I performed with my team; and how I fought to ignore the heat and its effects on my body; or how at the end of my junior year going into my senior year attending the U.S. Marine Corp. Bootcamp in Paris Island, SC, the shock to my system as I attempted to perform many of the tasks that grown men needed to perform.

The invisible disease was "Kicking my Behind", saying hello and welcome to a preview of your life with me!

Signed...

MS