MS Led Me to the Career I Always Wanted

I dreamed of being a writer when I was young. When multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms got in the way of my “practical” career path, I rediscovered my love of self-expression.

During childhood, I wrote imaginative stories with characters I illustrated in my mind. As I grew older, I wrote poems about the ups and downs of life. A pencil and paper were always close.

In high school, my love of creative writing grew, and I knew it was an outlet I’d always need.

But when I began college in 2001, I was convinced by family and friends that writing is a hobby. “It won’t pay the bills,” many advised. So, I gave up my dream of being a writer.

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A different path

I’d always loved being with children. I babysat in high school and worked as a summer camp counselor. During my senior year of high school, I completed a community study program with a speech-language pathologist at a local elementary school. That experience helped me decide that I’d pursue speech pathology as my major and career, as writing wasn’t practical.

It required a master’s degree, but I was ready for it. I enjoyed learning about communication disorders and how to diagnose and treat them.

Then, my MS symptoms began as I was starting graduate school in 2005. I pushed through the rigorous program despite my physical limitations.

When I graduated, I took a job in a school district near my hometown, helping children with speech sound disorders, language disorders, and those who stuttered or were on the autism spectrum.

The reward of helping children communicate more easily was immense, but the large caseload and abundance of paperwork came with stress. My love of writing fell by the wayside as I focused on my new career.

All the while, the demands of my career worsened my symptoms. When I was overwhelmed with deadlines, my limbs became shaky, and the weakness I lived with daily worsened.

Three years into my career, when I was pregnant with my older son, I remained undiagnosed. I didn’t yet know the name of the disease that made standing and walking difficult for me, but I knew that stress exacerbated it. After he was born, I chose to stay home, with plans to return to work after my children were in full-day school.

My kids are now 9 and 13 years old, but I haven’t returned to that work setting.

A return to writing

When my younger son was born, my symptoms worsened. As I continued my search for a diagnosis, I found an online platform where people living with chronic illnesses could write about their experiences. There, I vented about living with an undiagnosed disease and connected with others who understood the journey I was on.

For the first time, I could release the anger and stress I was feeling about my health struggles in a positive manner — through words and stories shared with others.

After my official diagnosis, I continued writing about life with MS because it connected me with a community. I was struggling — but I wasn’t alone anymore. I found that sharing my experiences could help others in search of hope.

After writing about life with a chronic disease without pay for a couple of years, I was offered paid opportunities to write essays that pharmaceutical companies would sponsor. This gave them a way to advertise their medications alongside a personal story.

For the first time, I was paid for doing something I love. Until then, I didn’t know that was possible.

Persistence paid off

My paid writing opportunities began slowly, but I was motivated to continue because I love writing, and it was better for my health to work part-time, from home, and on my own schedule as opposed to full-time in the highly structured and more stressful school environment.

I wondered if I could expand my paid writing opportunities and turn my hobby — and my passion — into a part-time career.

With a leap of faith, I decided to write essays and send them to larger publications for pay. I joined virtual writing groups and studied the intricacies of freelance writing, from how to find editors online to writing pitches that get noticed.

Initially, I was met with silence. But over time, and with persistence, I began having success. Among many rejections, I’d receive an acceptance. Slowly, my acceptance rate increased, and my work became more consistent. My essays have been published in national outlets, including Oprah Daily, Time Magazine, and The Washington Post.

A dream I once thought was impossible came true because my difficult health journey brought me back to who I was meant to be: a writer.

Writing is good for me

I don’t feel like I’m working when I’m writing because I’m doing something I love. Removing the stress from my work has had a positive impact on my disease — it keeps my MS symptoms at bay and reduces the likelihood that I’ll have a flare from stress.

Freelance writing allows me to set my own schedule, rest when I need to, and learn more about the topics important to me. It also gives me the freedom to be home for my children when needed, which is what I have always wanted.

Now, in addition to personal essays, I write informative articles that involve reviewing research studies and interviewing experts. I write about many topics related to parenting, health, and speech and language development, which enables me to use my expertise to help parents in a new way. 

Alongside my freelance writing career, I write children’s picture books. I’m working toward finding a literary agent to represent me on that journey.

Working with a monthly critique group, I hope to expand my repertoire of manuscripts and one day see my name on the cover of my books. I know now that anything is possible.

The takeaway

MS can be the hardest aspect of our lives, but it can also lead us to where we are meant to be. Following a passion — whether it be for enjoyment or work — can have a positive influence on MS symptoms.

MS brought me back to my passion for writing, making me feel more alive than ever — and for that, I will always be thankful.