So what does MS look like? Why is it called the hidden disease? Well, probably because when you look at a person who has it, you may never know they are suffering. This is the case with Gail Lombardozzi, a life long family friend, that I had no idea was sick. To be clear, when describing her, I just say "family" or "aunt" . So for 17 years, I have been with her at parties and holidays and never had a clue. This is probably also because she is extremely independent and never asks for help or complains. I had the opportunity to interview her and her son Tommy for this project and was excited to get their honest answers about what it's like to live with this disease.  Watch the interview below but don't forget to click the READ MORE button after the video, to see pics of Gail as she shows the world what MS really looks like!!!!

So why do people get MS in the first place? Is it a genetic disease that is passed down though family DNA? Is it caused by something that a person was exposed to in the environment? The problem is that no one REALLY knows. Researchers and doctors have been studying these questions for years and although they are beginning to to learn more, the answer is is still somewhat of a mystery. At the current time, when deciding if the cause of multiple sclerosis is nature or nurture, the response from health professionals is..... "probably both".
Click the Read More link below to find out more!

Our immune systems are a beautiful thing: usually a well oiled machine. When we get sick, this war loving system attacks the invader and gets us on the road to a healthy recovery. At least that's what is supposed to happen. The scary truth is, that every once in awhile, this life saving system turns on the person it has been designed to protect. Like a traitor in a spy movie, the immune system begins targeting the already healthy parts of our body. Multiple Sclerosis is one of the many autoimmune diseases that can occur when "the body attacks".
    
So what exactly is Multiple Sclerosis? How does it affect a person and who can get it? There is much we know about this hidden disease, whose symptoms can be vague and intermittent, but there is also much we continue to learn. 

​To begin educating yourself on MS click the powerpoint below.
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drive.google.com/file/d/1U7-bJ07eW_rdM8SqcfqMGtXgxT1A5OE4/view?usp=sharing