My lemon is multiple sclerosis.  My lemonade is affording people equal opportunity & sharing my music.

At 35 years old, after a bout of odd incidents and misdiagnosed health symptoms within 4 years or so, I finally heard 4 words, “You have multiple sclerosis “.  I intentionally refrain from capitalizing the condition, so as not to give it power. To be honest, I knew little about the disease at the time, but I knew one thing, it was not good. I reflected on the very physical jobs in my career including visual management in retail and in restaurant management. I was athletic as a kid. Disease research added more fears and stress.

The shock of my diagnosis threw me back for a while, but I did not let it stop me from missing work, even for a day. There was no contemplation. I was steadfast in the belief that if I could do it (whatever) yesterday, I can do it today. My stubbornness now had purpose and it, along with a positive attitude (I had to work at it, and was motivated by various speakers and readings). I am still working the same job as the equal opportunity investigator for the County 11 years later and played an essential role in recent amendments to the County Human Rights Ordinance, adding more protections and broader coverage.

I have learned many techniques to slow down, to think more clearly, to be more concise, to use my creative side to problem solve and generally to be more productive (in work helping the public and with my music which has been therapeutic to me and liked by others). I am thankful for my support system. I know that it can always be worse, so I always try to make it better before it gets there.