Living with MS

FREMONT--- In 2013 Dana Roca formed an MS Multiple Sclerosis group in Findlay, driven by the presence of such a group and the need for individuals to understand and cope with MS. Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. MS occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering around the nerve fibers, known as myelin. This relentless destruction of myelin disrupts the smooth flow of electrical impulses along the nerves, resulting in a range of changing neurological symptoms. In 2009 Roca found out she had MS after a series of tests were conducted. Roca was transferred from hospital to hospital until she found herself at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. "When I found out I had MS, I was at home and I found myself not able to move my body, and I froze," Roca said. "I waited in a hospital bed not knowing what was wrong with me, I was scared, I was a professional actress for 30 years and then bang like a light switch my life changed." Roca explains that on her 50th birthday, she received the diagnosis. She refers to it as a gift explaining, "I had met so many people on my journey that have helped me and that have opened my mind, being able to help other people, to reach out to other people that are way worse than I am." Knowing first-hand the challenges of MS, Roca was driven by the determination to advocate for an improved understanding of this medical condition. "It took me about a year to work up the courage to find out what MS was, then about another year to find a support group," Roca said. "The doctors weren't telling us anything, so you go through a year of kind of being scared not knowing anything, and your body changes, my eyes changed and got blurry and I'd bang into doorways, everything changes." Roca is now the MS Ambassador of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and envisions an initiative promoting early testing and treatment, empowering individuals to take control of their health. Roca continues the MS meetings every second Monday of the month specifically for people who think they may have MS, those who have MS, or family and friends who may know someone with MS. "When I had meetings in Findlay, we had people that came from, Attica, Fostoria, Fremont, all over, now that it's here in Fremont I am not sure many know about them, that live in different towns." The MS meeting is on the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Hayes Memorial United Methodist Church 1441 Fangboer Road. Roca stressed, "I want to spread awareness and let people know that they don't have to keep their diagnosis to themselves, you don't have to be alone, at these meetings, its family, a support group, and a new way to live." On May 11 Roca has organized a WALK MS to take place at Conner Park in Fremont, this walk is to help support MS and a cure for the disease. For information about the MS Support group danaroca8@gmail.com or visit https://nationalmssociety.org for more information about MS Multiple Sclerosis.