Kayla Black's Story

What were the steps leading up to your diagnosis?

When I was 22 year's old, I went blind in my left eye. As a gunsmith, I very much had to go to the doctor and have my eye checked out. I was diagnosed with optic neuritis and told to go to the hospital for further testing.

After two weeks and an MRI, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis because the MRI showed many lesions! During the first maybe five years I couldn't work a full-time job anywhere!

Without a full-time job I had no medical insurance, so I didn't treat my MS with any medicine except for steroid IV treatments when I relapsed.

The steroids caused avascular necrosis, so I now have two artificial hips due to avascular necrosis! I now collect social security which allows me to have Medicare! That has been, what I believe, my saving Grace because I can get the proper care that I need while fighting this disease.

What I mean by proper care, I have a port for Tysabri which I am doing well-being that I have over 130 lesions on my brain! Wow!

What lifestyle changes have you needed to make?

I get heated very quickly. I have trouble swallowing, finding the right words to complete a sentence, incontinence, falling, itching, and fatigue!

Who has been there for you? How?

My mother has been there for me, but she passed away last year on my birthday. I do not drive, but when she was around she would drive me to my doctor appointments and help me clean my house! She was my best friend, and I miss her all the time.

What accomplishments are you proud of?

I have an eleven-year-old son and he makes me proud.

What's your advice to someone else living with MS?

Get treatment and find a person you can count on always.