At a young age I began singing, dancing, acting, and writing. I was always very creative, although the visual arts were never a part of my repertoire. In 2017, my MS symptoms began. Muscle weakness, fatigue, pain, tremors, and brain fog were just a few of the symptoms that emerged from these elusive lesions. But at the same time, another symptom emerged: a desire to paint.

One night, while battling my insomnia, I decided to set up a canvas and some acrylic paints. I put on some of my favorite musical artists and let the music inspire my brush strokes. For the first time in my life, I could paint! While I was no longer physically able to do many of my other creative endeavors, I suddenly had the ability to make art. It is one MS symptom that I am grateful to have.