Between the time when he experienced his first symptoms at age 21, until he was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) three years later, Dong Hwan’s morale hit an all-time low.

He had just joined the army services and was looking forward to a career in the military when he began to experience fatigue and pain in his legs. Several months later, he began having problems seeing with his right eye.

"I couldn’t stop questioning why these things were happening to me. I was really scared."

Doctors at the military hospital treated him for a condition of the eye nerve. Within three months, however, the same symptoms occurred in the left eye and he was discharged from military service.

For four years, Dong Hwan kept experiencing symptoms that would come and go, from bouts of pain to new, more distressing symptoms such as partial paralysis on his face.

Finally learning that he had MS was a significant step forward toward understanding what was going on in his body and in coming to terms with his condition. At the time, he was taking classes at the university.

The diagnosis from a doctor at the school’s hospital allowed Dong Hwan to begin MS treatment every other day, which has helped him manage his symptoms. Over the years, he has recovered 80 percent of his vision.

It also was during his visit to the university hospital that Dong Hwan met his girlfriend, who also has MS and has become the most important source of support in his life. "She understands my pain and situation in ways my family can’t. She gives me a lot of help to overcome MS."

Being the first-born son made it especially difficult for Dong Hwan to tell his family about his disease. Traditionally, it is expected that the eldest son in a Korean family will play the greatest role in caring for his parents and siblings. Dong Hwan was conflicted about passing this responsibility on to his younger brother. "I felt sorry for my family for not being able to fulfill this role. I worried that I was letting them down."

At the same time, Dong Hwan’s bonds with friends grew stronger when he opened up about his disease.

After taking time off school to pursue several jobs, Dong Hwan has decided to return to university. "I’ve started studying again and will advance towards my goals, not comparing myself with others. I will not use MS as an excuse anymore."

Along with studying for his electrician’s license, Dong Hwan has been managing an MS support group in Seoul, where he now lives. He enjoys being surrounded by people who understand what he is going through.

The most important lesson Dong Hwan has learned from his experience with MS is that the mental pain is often worse than the physical pain.

"I wish that others with MS would continue to enjoy their lives. It’s much better to accept it than to spend your life feeling bitter about the disease."