Episode 11 is an interview with another chronic disease warrior that was diagnosed with Parkinson's when he was 44 years old. Shakey explains how he experienced young onset Parkinson's in his 20's until his diagnosis of Parkinson's. We talk about his mental health battle after diagnosis and his battle with SSDI for TWO years until he was approved.

Shakey shares what he describes as two halves of his life. The first half he talks about how the medications for Parkinson's took over his life and the decision he made to admit himself into a hospital to detox off the medications. Shakey chose to not go back on his Parkinson's medication and take control of his own rehabilitation and started walking. Shakey also used boxing as a way to get stronger. Shakey has gone from Stage 4 Parkinson's to a Stage 3 by utilizing attitude and hard work and exercise. Since 2019 Shakey has been walking to raise money for the Michael J Fox Foundation and has currently walked more then 5400 miles and is approaching 5500! Thank you so much for joining me and sharing your amazing story Shakey! No matter what disease you have been diagnosed with NEVER EVER QUIT FIGHTING!!

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Jackie is a MS WARRIOR from New York that I had the privilege of recording Episode 10. Jackie speaks about her having symptoms back in high school that doctors misdiagnosis as a pinched nerve because of being a gymnast. She was finally diagnosed in 2010 when she married and moved down to Virginia. Her symptoms worsened because of the heat. Jackie then went to a chiropractor that recognized her issues and had her see a neurologist. Her MRI had many lesions on brain that confirmed Multiple Sclerosis. Jackie went through her experience with child birth and all her DMT choices from Copaxon, Rebif, Tysabri and Ocrevus. Jackie talks about how MS forced her out of ability to work but she stays positive because of the time she gets to spend with her child with Cerebral Palsy. We talk about relationships and mental health. Jackie talks about how she fights for her independence. Jackie is just such a strong MS Warrior that will never let this disease stop her. Thank you so much for sitting down and talking with me Jackie.

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I talk to Jay, an MS Warrior from Michigan, who was diagnosed with MS in 2020 after experiencing back pain and going to a chiropractor. Jay struggled with the diagnosis and tried to run from it until 2022 when he relapsed and went on Ocrevus. We talk about how the diagnosis effected his career as a truck driver and his mental health. We talk about our bouts with suicide thoughts and how we reached out for help thanks to our wives. Jay did not let his diagnosis stop him and he transitioned his driving career into a truck driving instructor and is still working as the Director of the school. Jay is very inspirational with his attitude and his never quit mentality. Thank you so much Jay for spending the time to talk to me.

I sat down with Joe, from New York, that went from healthy to severe pain in wrist after a fall on ice. Joe went from a successful electrician to losing his job and still not having answers. Joe went through surgeries and implants in an attempt to get relief. Joe was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), a debilitating chronic disease. Joe's journey is so amazing and he is such a positive person and an advocate for CRPS awareness. Invisible diseases exist and people suffer daily. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me Joe.

Faye is a MS Warrior from Alabama that was a paramedic that fought and denied her diagnosis of MS until the age of 31, when the reality of the disease took away her career. We discuss how society perceives us with an invisible disease and the frustrations it brings especially at a young age. We also discuss the question of multiple sclerosis being hereditary. Faye also shares her struggle mentally and how she found God as a way to help cope with MS. Faye is such a positive person and is an advocate for MS awareness! Thank you so much Faye for joining me to help motivate those with a similar diagnosis and educate those that want to learn.

Trina is a MS Warrior from Tennessee that started presenting her MS symptoms when she was 17 years old when she lost her sight for six months. She gained her vision back and had a feeling that she had MS because of a family history. When she was 22 she gave birth to her child and the trauma of childbirth caused her legs to go numb, but she was still in denial of her MS diagnosis. Trina continues to work and raise her child then in 2007 Trina was officially diagnosed with MS and put on Copaxon which was subcutaneous injection daily. Trina then switched to Rebif for a short time while her mobility digressed. Getting worse Trina was placed on a new drug called Tysabri and in six months Trina was walking again without a cane. Trina also takes Ampyra with her DMT. Trina still works in accounting and attributes her strong cognitive function on her job always working with numbers. Trina was such a pleasure to have on the podcast. She is so strong mentally and is a true WARRIOR! Thank you, Trina!

I sat down with Debbie, an MS Warrior from Colorado, that was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014 after having symptoms for 10 years prior. She went to doctors and kept being told her symptoms were a mental health issue. After finally having an MRI ordered she received her diagnosis 10 years later.

We discuss relationships and how partners do not understand our diagnosis and the issues we have with trying to help them understand. The difficult discission to let her son's custody go to the father while she managed her multiple sclerosis and mental health.

Debbie also discusses her journey with getting the correct DMT (disease modifying treatment) Gilenya. Despite having MRI's that showed no new lesions Debbie still continued to digress, and she has gone from RRMS to PPMS. Debbie also discusses a mass they are currently checking for cancer and waiting results before starting new DMT.

We discuss how we are treated by society being disabled at a young age and how that effects your mental health. Debbie discusses how she manages MS and still lives a fulfilling life even though MS has taken so much from her.

Debbie is such an inspiration with the way she fights this disease. Debbie has so much fight in her and will never quit. Thank you so much for joining me, Debbie!

Today I sit down with Tilly, a former runner and cross fit gym rat from British Columbia, Canada. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 40 years old after seven years of not getting answers. We discuss the struggles she had getting a diagnosis and how she was treated by her medical team. The mental health struggles and trial and error with finding the right DMT. How having an attitude and attacking MS as soon as you are diagnosed is important with staying mobile.

We also discuss relationships and how she handled an abusive relationship while battling a chronic disease and how she found someone that understands her battle with MS. We also discuss how her kids reacted to her diagnosis and how she explained her disease to family and friends.

Tilly is so inspirational to talk to with how she is handling her multiple sclerosis with mind and body therapy. Tilly is a true MS WARRIOR. Thank you for being part of the podcast Tilly!!

Maria was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2012 after 12 years of not getting answers from doctors. Maria chose to not go on any medications for her MS. Maria was dependent on walking aids and a wheelchair until she changed her diet and discovered chiropractic treatments. She now for the last year has been able to walk completely independent from walking aids. Maria is such an inspiration and has an unbelievable attitude. Maria is the definition of NEVER QUIT!

Maria explains a supplement she takes that helps with myelin regeneration called Sphinolin and a mushroom 20-in-1 supplement that contains Lions Mane,Turkey Tail, Reishi,Chaga and Cordyceps for her cognitive function. Maria has also been taking a thyroid supplement for the last ten years called Kyo-green. Maria customized her treatment that worked for her and is a true Warrior!

I will post a picture Maria sent me of her supplements on Instagram @msmichiganman64 for anyone interested. Thank you so much Maria for joining me and keep fighting the fight!

I discuss my life post Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and how I dealt with stress correct and incorrectly. The decision to go out on disability after 20 years of working, my mental health and barriers of being employed with a chronic disease are discussed. I also explain what the University of Michigan football alumni did for my wife and I and what FAM did means to me. Go Blue!