MRI Self-portrait paintings, Watercolor and gouache, 2021
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What is Multiple Sclerosis?Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. The immune system damages the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating on nerve cells. This affects the nerve’s ability to transfer signals. Nearly 1 million people in the US live the MS. However, only 3-5% of all individuals with MS will experience disease onset before the age of 16. Source: National MS Society |
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MS can affect any part of the central nervous system, so symptoms vary between individuals.
However, common MS symptoms include:
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MS Symptom Sketches - Spring Semester 2021, 8.5" x 5.5" each, mixed-media, 2021
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Heat Intolerance - Wayzata, 7" x 11", Watercolor pencil, colored pencil, and graphite on Dura-Lar, 2021
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Since many MS symptoms can't be observed by others, it is considered an "invisible" illness. This also means that many people with MS struggle with others acknowledging the effects of the disease, particularly younger MS patients who "look healthy" or "too young" to be chronically ill.
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MS is unpredictable; how a person feels one day doesn't always reflect how they will feel the next. As those of us with MS continue to share our stories and spread awareness, we must encourage others to consider what they can't see and approach those who have invisible illnesses with a level of trust. This especially applies to younger people who have the disease. As a formerly pediatric MS patient myself, I implore others to remember:
young people get MS too.
- May Ling Kopecky
young people get MS too.
- May Ling Kopecky
