My name is Pam.  I live in New York with my wonderful husband and our two daughters.  I am currently working part-time as a customer service rep.

I love to garden.  I spend as much time as possible reading.  When the weather is cooperating, my husband and I love to go go-karting and play golf.  We have been to New York City each year for the last five years – we never tire of that wonderful city! 

July 2004, I lost part of my vision in both eyes.  After a misdiagnosis by an eye doctor, I was sent to a neurologist.  An MRI showed lesions in my brain.  November 5, 2004, I was told I had MS.  I was in shock.  I was expecting a pinched nerve – never MS.  That neurologist attempted to get me to go on an experimental drug.  I was uncomfortable with that option. 

Friends came from everywhere with stories of their relatives with MS.  My phone kept ringing – with names and phones numbers of people who wanted me to talk to someone they knew with MS.  And I did.  I talked with two people, one of whom was a doctor herself, and both gave me the same name of an MS clinic.  So, I found a new doctor.

MS has taught me so much.  It has confirmed over and over again that I am the luckiest person in the world to have the support of my loving husband and family.  It has taught me patience.  It has taught me to appreciate all that I have in my life.  It has taught me to enjoy today.  It has put everything into perspective. Funny how that works….

I joined MSWorld February 2005, when I was ready to start dealing with this disease.  I learned so much from the message board.  In February 2008, I got up the nerve to join the chat room and I haven’t left since!  I have made so many friends there and the support I’ve found has been tremendous.  I am very thankful to join the staff and be given the opportunity to give back to a community from which I’ve received so much.