Brenda Snow was diagnosed with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in the early 1990s, during an era when treatment was minimal and the condition was poorly understood—a time often marked by a ‘diagnosis and adios’ approach. Like many facing chronic illness, her diagnostic journey was filled with medical gaslighting and doctors refusing to listen. But her journey reveals a deeper truth: one of self-advocacy, strength, and rewriting the narrative of what hope within chronic illness looks like. Brenda went on to lobby for the landmark Kassebaum-Kennedy Bill in 1996, challenging stigma and sparking systemic change. She’s the founder and CEO of Snow Companies, a leading patient engagement agency, and author of Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey—a compassionate roadmap for anyone facing a life-changing diagnosis.

At the time Brenda was diagnosed with relapsing MS, there were no FDA approved treatments. With limited medical guidance, her family became her lifeline, stepping in to support both Brenda and her young daughter. The first symptoms Brenda experienced were vision changes and extreme, overwhelming fatigue as her body felt like concrete. As the disease progressed, she lost sensation in her left foot and leg, making walking increasingly difficult. A few months after diagnosis Brenda lost function from the waist down, utilizing adaptive devices to maintain daily living activities. She was among the first patients to receive treatment for relapsing MS, and by the seventh month after diagnosis, her symptoms began to stabilize. Although neurological deficits—such as optic neuritis, spasticity, tremors and left-sided weakness—persisted, Brenda approached her condition with determination. Brenda learned how to manage the recurring symptoms and reclaim agency over her life.

In this episode of the Major Pain Podcast, Brenda Snow shares insights from her book, offering inspiration and practical guidance to those navigating the emotional terrain of diagnosis. Her work serves as both a roadmap and a lifeline—helping patients understand what to expect, how to build a life of purpose, and how to keep moving forward as a patient patient anchored by the thread of hope.

Find Brenda’s book on her website: https://brendasnow.com/

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