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It has been eight years since I heard the words, “You have MS.”

That moment changed everything for me. Yet, in a strange way, nothing around me changed at all. While my world flipped upside down, the rest of the world kept moving forward like nothing happened. I was left to quietly pick up the pieces and figure out how to live with this new reality.

But it was not a new life I wanted. I liked the one I had. It was not perfect, but it was mine and I had a plan. A future I thought I controlled.

MS took that sense of control away. I didn’t get a vote. None of us did.

And if you have received the same diagnosis, then you know how all-consuming the fear and uncertainty can be. The questions start to spiral. Will I get married? Have children? Build the career I dreamed of? Will I become disabled? What will my future look like now?

Nothing feels certain after diagnosis. But today, as I reflect on my MS diagnosis anniversary, I want to share why I choose to acknowledge it rather than ignore it.

Why Acknowledge an MS Diagnosis Anniversary?

I get asked this question often. Why would you “celebrate” the anniversary of something so painful?

My honest answer is this: MS is the gift I didn’t know I needed.

No, it is not a celebration of the disease itself. It is about recognizing what I have gained in the process. Strength. Clarity. Intentional living. A deeper appreciation for my body, my time, and my relationships.

I did not just sit back and accept this disease. I chose to fight for my life, my energy, and my joy. And if you are reading this, so did you.

Even if your journey has not been perfect. Even if you have fallen off track with your diet or protocol. The fact that you are here means your heart is still in it. That hope has not left you. And that deserves to be honored.

The Day Everything Changed

When I think back to that day, it was not just the physical symptoms or diagnosis that hurt. It was the mental and emotional fallout.

No one around me knew what I was going through. On the outside, everything looked the same. But on the inside, everything had shifted.

My diagnosis brought so many unknowns. And it brought fear. But over time, it also brought growth. It taught me how to live differently and to see the small moments as wins. That includes every decision I have made to support my health, like choosing veggies over processed foods or resting when my body needed it most.

Those small choices matter. They add up to transformation.

Reflecting on the Journey

One day, while eating a simple salad at my kitchen table, I received an email from someone asking whether the Wahls Protocol would help them, even though they didn’t have MS.

I looked at my plate and thought, what if this way of eating is not just managing MS, but also preventing other illnesses I may never have to face? That realization was powerful.

The smallest changes we make can have the biggest impact. The gluten free pasta you choose at the grocery store. The frozen vegetables you add to dinner when you have nothing else. These are the quiet beginnings of a stronger, healthier future.

MS has also taught me to slow down. Before my diagnosis, I ran at a pace that was simply unsustainable. Always pushing. Always chasing goals. But rarely living.

Now, I use my energy more intentionally. I focus on what really matters: living a meaningful life and being present with the people I love.

Living with MS is Not the End of the Road

Living with MS is not the end of your dreams. It may change the path, but it does not erase the destination. You can still build a life full of joy, purpose, and connection.

I still have goals. I still dream. But I no longer define myself by my productivity or physical perfection.

I am not my diagnosis. And neither are you.

So on the anniversary of my MS diagnosis, I choose to reflect. Not because I want to relive the pain, but because I want to recognize the growth. I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to keep going, to keep trying, and to keep hoping.

And if you are reading this, I hope you know you are not alone.

You are still in the game. You are still moving forward. And that is something worth honoring.

Want More Encouragement Like This? Tune into this week’s special episode of My MS Podcast: 🎧 Why My (and Your) MS Diagnosis Anniversary Matters and Listen now to My MS Podcast