When doctors told Marion she had multiple sclerosis (MS), she felt like her world was going to collapse. "I burst into tears. I had no idea what the implications were; my head was filled with questions."

Her first instinct was to "work like mad" and not accept how MS affected her ability to do her job, but she realized that she had to stop working so hard because of her fatigue. So she told her coworkers at the electronic company about her condition right away. They had all been concerned since she’d been complaining recently of dizzy-spells and numbness in her right arm. "I had a wonderful team at work. They all wanted to help me. My supervisor was great, so I didn’t worry about my job."

Keeping in close contact with an MS nurse has helped Marion answer questions about the condition or her treatment. "It’s been very important to have this contact person, especially after diagnosis. I can always call if I have a problem." Her MS nurse was a big source of support and she motivated Marion to begin treatment every other day and get back on her feet and live her life.

Marion’s parents wanted to be supportive, but Marion knew the diagnosis was hard on them. "They were very afraid at first and tried to give me advice." Still, her family has been very supportive throughout the challenging times. "My parents and my brother are always there to help me, however they can."

Marion was married at the time of her diagnosis but her husband didn’t know how to support her, so they eventually separated. She wished she was able to talk to someone like a relationship counselor to help her through that time, and it was the support of her MS nurse that encouraged her to start dating again. That’s when she met her current partner, Ollie, who has been her best ally and support. "He is supportive and encouraging. I can talk to him whenever I’ve had a bad day; he is always on my side."

Her MS did not keep Marion from being active- she knew she couldn’t just sit around. So she channeled all of her energy into founding an MS support group. Through this group, Marion made many new friends. It was comforting to be surrounded by people who could relate to what she was going through after many of her other friends had drifted apart when she stopped going out as often.

Claudia, a woman she met at through the group, has become one of her closest friends. "She also has MS and we can talk about every challenge we face. We help each other when either one has a problem."

Choosing to leave her job two years after her diagnosis gave her the opportunity to volunteer at the support group full-time. "It’s a wonderful thing because I cannot stay at home all the time. It makes me happy to help others."