Betina

Age: 38
Diagnosed age: 30
City: Esbjerg, Denmark

I know that life doesn’t have to stop or be put on hold just because I have multiple sclerosis (MS). Since my diagnosis eight years ago at age 30, I continue to have a fulfilling career and active social life. I am convinced that my stubborn personality has gotten me where I am today. It has been rough - a lot of hard work, sweat and tears - but it has been worth it.

School was a number-one priority for me; I was studying to become Certified Nurses Assistant (CSA) when I suddenly began losing my sight. For more than a month, I could only make out silhouettes.

When I was diagnosed with MS, the first image that flashed through my mind was a future in a wheelchair. I didn’t know much about MS except that I had heard of people who became severely disabled. I was sure my future would turn out just like that.

In spite of the fact that I was able to see less and less each day, I still attended my classes daily. Just because I couldn’t see didn’t mean I couldn’t take part in lessons. I could hear fine. I refused to give up.

I continued to focus all of my energy on completing the CSA program and finding a job. My work became my first priority; I was determined to make it work. I put everything else on hold for a long time to have the strength to fulfill my career goals.

Telling family about my diagnosis was easy for me. I knew it wouldn’t affect my closest relationships. But I was initially hesitant to talk to my colleagues about my MS. When I was applying for jobs, I decided not to bring it up in the interviews. I was afraid people would pay more attention to me having MS than to me as a person, and not hire me.

Some of these concerns were validated. I sometimes found that my coworkers
acted more distant, or accused me of being unable to handle my job even when my performance was not affected. Some claimed I was a burden and could not do my
job. My responsibilities never changed. I wasn’t asking for any special treatment, and certainly didn’t want that either.

Since September 2007, I have been working at a hospital and it’s the best thing I’ve done in a long time. Here, I’m accepted as who I am. When I applied for the job, I told them I had MS. Fortunately for me, it was no problem for them. I proved long ago that I can easily manage a full-time job on the same terms as everyone else.

Outside of work, I still have energy left over for the fun activities I did before I was diagnosed, such as participating in an adult Girl Scout Troup, going to concerts and spending time with family and friends.