Mama, wife, friend, advocate, professional. I'm loyal, empathetic and kind. And at 33 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. That was my darkest day. I had a 15 month old son at the time and I was devastated he would have to grow up with a mom who has MS. I worried about the what if's. What if I lost my ability to walk? What if I forget? What if I become a burden to my family? What if I can't dance with my son on his wedding day? I didn't want his life to be harder because of my MS. I'm scared my MS will catch up with me and since its a progressive disease, it likely will. So, I've had to start living one day at a time and appreciate how good I feel right now. I try not to worry about the future - I'll cross that bridge when I get to it! When I was first diagnosed there were a lot of things happening in my brain and it was impacting things like my vision and walking. I felt weak. But shortly after I was diagnosed I got pregnant with twins and was utterly amazed at what my body was capable of. I had never felt stronger in my life. I say it was God's way of helping me forget I have MS because they keep me so busy! Today I am constantly chasing after my 5 year old son and 3 year old boy/girl twins. I try to live by the story that MS has been more of a blessing than a curse. I've challenged myself to do things I never thought I could like share my story, climb the tallest building in Boston (to raise money for MS) and be an ear for those newly diagnosed. I'm a good example that everything happens for a reason. How lucky was I to be diagnosed while working for a biotech company that specialized in making MS therapies? They changed my life and I've made lifelong friends that share the same diagnosis. I don't feel defined by MS but it is a part of me - it’s my new normal. I wish I could tell a 12 year old me that nothing, not one thing, will go as you had planned but that its okay because you can handle it! Even when it feels too much. I am Linda. I believe in kindness, hard work, and having fun and I am proud of my ability to push through even when things are pulling me back.