00:00:01:09 - 00:00:25:19
LaTasha
I refuse to refer to it as its own name. I don’t have multiple sclerosis. I just have a friend named Mr. Sam who just likes to hang out with me often. Calling it Mr. Sam, it brings me laughter and joy. So when things aren’t going so well with Mr. Sam, I’ll tell my family, “Mr. Sam is not acting so good today.

00:00:26:03 - 00:00:53:09
LaTasha
Mr. Sam was on my back today.” My multiple sclerosis journey has been extremely interesting. Prior to being diagnosed, I was battling so many different issues before someone actually told me what was the problem. I was doing multiple 5Ks and getting ready to tackle a weight loss journey, and I didn't want the multiple sclerosis diagnosis to have an impact on that.

00:00:55:02 - 00:01:21:16
LaTasha
I was diagnosed September 2, 2016, and September 5, I was walking a 5K with glasses on and looking downward just to make sure I didn't lose my balance while I was walking a 5K with double vision. From there, I just continued on being as optimistic as I could be to not let the diagnosis just take over everything that I had planned for my life.

00:01:23:14 - 00:01:50:17
LaTasha
I even purchased a bike, started riding a bicycle, and climbing Stone Mountain here in Georgia. I recommend that everyone give your MS a different name. Don’t let it have that much power over you. It’s not fair to you. Instead of being referred to as multiple sclerosis or MS, it’s Mr. Sam to me. I’m LaTasha Garvin, and I’m a member of MyMSTeam.