16 msfocusmagazine.org Life with MS By Tony DiGerolamo Monica Proctor Wilson is an MS Focus Ambassador from District Heights, Md., who was diagnosed with relapsing MS ten years ago on her birthday. “When I tell people MS was my best birthday present, they look at me strangely. Before my diagnosis, I was constantly fatigued, had back pain, forgetfulness, and was constantly falling. It became a joke at work and at home. My doctor said it was all due to stress, being overworked, not lifting things correctly, and my three-inch heels. When I finally got my diagnosis, I was able to arm myself and be ready for battle. I had to put away the heels, but I was able to replace them with cute flats.” Her first experience with MS actually came a few years earlier, though. “My son had a friend whose mother had primary progressive MS. She passed away in 2004, and her son stayed with us for a while. He shared MS-related stories with me, and I researched MS to offer him support. I learned about primary progressive MS, but mostly about the debilitating conditions his mother experienced. I was unaware of the different types of MS until I was diagnosed in 2007.” After suffering through symptoms for years without answers, Monica quickly made the decision to not allow her new diagnosis to control her life. “I became my own advocate by educating myself through reading, talking to providers and insurance companies, going to education events, and participating in MS support groups and online groups.” All of that research and knowledge put Monica in the perfect position to join MS Focus as an Ambassador. “After I felt comfortable with the knowledge, I began to advocate for others. I have friends call me all the time and say, ‘I know someone who was just diagnosed, and they’re afraid and don’t know what to do. Can you talk to them?’ My response is always, ‘Yes, of course!’ I believe God has given me the strength to help others in the MS community.” With mobility and maintaining independence being such hot-button topics for many people with MS, we asked Monica Monica Proctor Wilson