It started with clumsiness at high jump. Then, midway through Year 12, Deanna Renee woke up partially blind in one eye. At just 17, she was diagnosed with *Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Her classmates shunned her, convinced MS was a contagious STI. The internet told her she’d be in a wheelchair by 25. Today, she is a viral content creator, proving them all wrong.

In this raw and often hilarious episode of the Well Summer Series, Claire Murphy sits down with Deanna to discuss the reality of growing up with a chronic neurological condition. They cover the isolation of high school, the darkness of her early 20s and the "bohemian doctor" who finally gave her hope.

Deanna also opens up about the unique challenges of living with an invisible disability - from being "uninvited" to Schoolies to battling "Karens" in car parks who don't believe she's sick enough to park in disabled spots. Plus, we learn how she turned her MRI scans into art and became a viral advocate on TikTok.

Get ready to have your perceptions challenged by a woman who refuses to let a diagnosis define her future.

*MS is the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults, often diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40 and, in Australia, affects three times more women than men. As yet, there is no cure. There is no known single cause of MS, but many genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute to its development. In MS, the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the fatty material – called myelin – around the nerves. This results in a range of symptoms, but no two people experience MS in the same way.

**Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and mental health struggles.

If you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews there’s something for everyone, explore here. We’ll be back to regular programming Thursday15th January. 

THE END BITS

If this episode has raised any issues for you, or if you just need someone to talk to, please reach out to:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au

All your health information is in the Well Hub.

Follow Deanna Renee:

• Instagram
• TikTok

Learn more about MS: Visit MS Australia for resources and the wellness guide mentioned in this episode.

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CREDITS

Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam

Guest: Deanna Renee 

Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Video Producer: Julian Rosario

Social Producer: Elly Moore

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.

 

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