When the phrase “chronic illness” is mentioned, what typically comes to mind for most people is likely cancer, heart disease or diabetes. However, there’s another chronic illness that affects an estimated nearly 1 million people in the United States and over 2.3 million people worldwide*: Multiple Sclerosis.
As “Midlife-A-Go-Go the podcast!” embarks on Season 6, I’m happy you could join me and my special guest on the show, Cathy Chester. In 1986, Cathy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Since that time she has become a tireless advocate to raise awareness about the disease. She’s on a mission to educate, empower and inspire those afflicted with MS to live full, rich lives. Cathy is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from WEGO Health, she was named one of the “Top 10 Social HealthMakers in Multiple Sclerosis” by Dr. Mehmet Oz’s platform, ShareCare, and the accolades and awards go on.
Cathy shares her MS journey, and I talk about my recent diagnosis of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
*National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (n/d). Multiple Sclerosis Facts. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/MS-FAQ-s
On The Show . . .
On this episode, Cathy and I chat about:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Why MS is sometimes called the “invisible illness”
- MS and its array of symptoms
- Why people with MS refer to themselves as “snowflakes”
- Women’s health and why we need to be our own best advocates
- and more…
Where to Find Cathy Chester:
Website: Cathy Chester: An Empowered Spirit
Multiple Sclerosis Resources:
Organizations:
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- MultipleSclerosis.Net
- MS International Foundation
- Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
- International Progressive MS Alliance
- Multiple Sclerosis Association of America
- MS Society UK
Of Interest:
- Very Well Health’s Guide to Multiple Sclerosis
- Need resilience? Insight from patients dealing with MS
- Review Study Examines Factors That Affect MS Patients’ Quality of Life
- If you’re newly diagnosed with MS…
- 16 Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis
- Battling the Stress of Living with Chronic Illness
“Midlife-A-Go-Go the podcast!” is hosted by Valerie Albarda
Let’s Get Social!
» Follow Midlife-A-Go-Go: Twitter @midlifeagogo | Instagram @midlifeagogo| Facebook @midlifeagogo
» Feedback: Email me at valerie@midlifeagogo.com
Music Credits:
“My Street” by Lee Rosevere Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)
… and more
Valerie,
Thank you for informing us on MS and the symptoms for which to look out. Cathy, what a blessing you are to be chosen to advocate for women living with MS. I pray you both have long fulfilling lives conquering MS at every turn.
Thank you, Valerie. I hope to be around a long time to continue with this baton that I’ve been given. I hope to raise awareness as I battle this invisible illness.