I guess there are several reasons as to why I put together this site.  One of them was to create a place where I could share my experiences and hopefully where other people can share theirs.  This is not limited to just people with MS, but also to those with friends, family and loved ones, who have been there through all of the trials and tribulations that being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis brings. My intention is to bring a little more awareness to the disease and to help people realize that there is life after diagnosis.  Currently I'm pursing my graduate degree in counseling so that I can work with people who have been affected with MS as well as help them find various ways of coping with the challenges that it brings. 

A few years ago, after several bouts with "mystery illnesses" that caused numbness, loss of coordination and balance, and blurred vision, I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis. I immediately realized that this was going to be a very difficult and challenging reality to deal with on my own. Fortunately, I have a strong network of family and friends that helped me through these difficult times.

Since then, I've met many people who are in a similar situation and heard their stories about dealing with the effects of MS. I've realized that my life was not over and that I could still lead a "normal" life. Prior to my diagnosis I enjoyed playing drums and guitar as well as an active life of exercise and outdoor activity: things that require the balance, coordination, and vision that MS was threatening to take away from me. I was not going to let this disease control me and as a result I began to focus on improving my diet and nutrition as well as continuing to maintain an active lifestyle. During this time, one of the things I thought about was that I wanted to be more involved in the counseling aspect of MS so I could share with others the same support I was receiving from my family and friends.

I am now embarking on the beginning of my graduate work in counseling, so I can learn and be trained in the skills necessary to help those who are dealing with a chronic illness. Since graduating from college in 1996, I have had several jobs in fields unrelated to my area of undergraduate study where I received degrees in Psychology and Communications. Now that I have experienced the corporate and technology workplaces I've realized that I would prefer to work in a helping profession where my skills can better help those who have chronic illnesses and challenges in their lives. I will use my direct experience with MS to assist others for my counseling graduate work.

My long-term goals are to go into private practice working as a counselor and an MS advocate. I plan to not only work with those that are newly diagnosed with MS and with those who have had this diagnosis for sometime. My hope is to work in conjunction with neurologists and the various Multiple Sclerosis groups to help people cope, learn, and attain the best quality of life possible for those dealing with a difficult and often challenging situation.

Michael Venn

msvenn@gmail.com