MSAV: Please tell us about yourself and share some fun facts.
CHERYL: I live with my husband Nick in Harrisonburg and our spoiled cat Oakey Noodle. I am from the greater Philly area and Nick is from New York. My career prior to retirement was as an academic advisor at JMU. I earned my BA in social work and sociology, and MA in education with a specialty in Diverse Needs: At Risk Populations from EMU. This March 2021 I accepted proclamations for both MS Awareness and Education and Brain Injury Awareness Month in Harrisonburg.
MSAV: How did you discover the MS Alliance?
CHERYL: I discovered the MSAV on Facebook and started attending weekend conferences in Roanoke. That was all it took to get involved. Love the people I meet, and we always have a great time together. It is a perfect combination of social and educational activities. Highlight is being able to dress up with Cinderella’s Closet outfits. I enjoy modeling the dresses and being in the fashion shows. MS Alliance is a wonderful group of volunteers living with MS.
MSAV: Tell us about your MS journey and diagnosis and how long you have been living with MS.
CHERYL: I was diagnosed with MS nearly 30 years ago in 1992 after experiencing numbness and tingling throughout my body. Those symptoms have remained along with others including pain, fatigue, vertigo, cognitive issues, depression, and anxiety. It started as relapsing-remitting and transitioned into secondary progressive. I also have POTS and Dysautonomia. In 2020 I developed Trigeminal Neuralgia which has been an additional challenge.
MSAV: Tell us some of the challenges you are proud of overcoming.
CHERYL: In 2017 there was another significant event in my life. I was hit by a truck as a pedestrian while walking across the street. I was airlifted to UVA with traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, hemorrhaging and fluid in my brain, and sutures covering the back of my head. I was intubated and placed into an induced coma with an ICP bolt drilled through my skull. After 9 days, I woke and began the long road to recovery, relearning to walk and basic life skills. Inpatient therapy followed by months of ongoing outpatient rehabilitation included physical, occupational and speech therapy. It was a tough life-changing journey but proud to have worked my way back. I have a lot of life yet to live.
MSAV: What is something that you want the world to know about MS?
CHERYL: I want the world to know that looks are often deceiving. Even when we look okay on the outside, we are struggling on the inside. Whether it is MS or TBI, you cannot see inside our brains or know what someone is dealing with in their bodies. Disability can be invisible to others. Let us show kindness and empathy to people.
MSAV: How have you been taking care of your mental health during the pandemic?
CHERYL: Throughout the pandemic I started taking a walk most days for physical exercise to help maintain muscle strength. A cooling vest helped on those hot summer days. Getting outside also helps mental/emotional health to combat feelings of sadness and isolation. A daily gratitude journal has made a significant difference in my life as well to focus on positive things. There is always something to be thankful for.
MSAV: Tell us about your hobbies and what you like to do for fun.
CHERYL: My favorite place is the beach. I was not able to go during COVID-19 but look forward to going this spring. It is good for the soul. I enjoy music and had sung in a choir prior to the pandemic. Writing is another passion and speaking to groups, sharing my story as an MS warrior and TBI survivor. I lead the PALS MS support group in my area, am Sunrise team captain for Walk MS, and serve on the Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley board of trustees.
MSAV: What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with MS?
CHERYL: For those newly diagnosed, I would say to keep pursuing and achieving your plans, goals, and dreams. Continue to live life fully. When symptoms get bad, know that they can improve, or we adjust along the way as needed. Join a support group and the MSAV. There are now so many treatment options available to slow progression of this disease. We are amazingly resilient, and life is still good.
Chery