Toni Quesenberry

My (Toni’s) Multiple Sclerosis journey started May 2016 with a confirmation that following August 2016. I am a single mom of a 19-year-old daughter who also has been with me through this journey and who also had a hard time adjusting to my MS until recently. I was forced into medical retirement by my employer but with the help of my dad, boyfriend & my co-workers they told me about Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Virginia. My dad told me I was going to attend a meeting with him that fall evening after my job ended.  If I was not dressed, then he was dragging me to the meeting in whatever I was wearing even if it were my birthday suit because I would be attending. That evening my world changed and it changed for the best. I may have lost my job, but it was only so I could find something better and more meaningful to me by attending the Support Group meetings; also volunteering with them. It has brought me out of my shell, helped me find my laughter again along with helping me to realize I am not alone; how my brothers and sisters in MS are going through or have gone through something similar and want to help.  They also lead me to the education that I, myself needed to teach myself what treatment plan worked best for my age and lifestyle. Now almost 4 years later…. I look at my MS as an incredibly special gift given to me so that I can do what I have always loved doing and wanted to do once I entered the world of retirement…. helping and giving back. I have my days and moments, but we all do, and it is how I pick each day to handle whether I want to find happiness going out and trying to do something or just cuddle up all day.