Perseverance/True Heros:

"FACE OF MS": Kristin Bennett - "I was diagnosed in 2001, it was my junior year at Parsons School of Design. Anyway, I started out with a lot of denial, plus I was a full-time working student in NYC! I didn't have time for that "MS" stuff. I focused on school and work and had a really hard time taking avonex, it would depress and upset me more and more each day leading up to the 'injection' day. So I stopped taking it about 6 months after I started....I did a lot of research about excercise, diet, stress reduction and keeping a positive attitude that really helped me a lot and for awhile I believe I had it pretty well under control. I graduated from Parsons on time in 2003 at age 22...That summer though I started getting 'prickly' feelings. I started taking Copaxone that fall and still do. Since late 2004, I have had a baby, and I am still taking copaxone and am getting back on my pretty strict excercise program. My baby girl is healthy and I have breastfed her exclusively for 6 months.

Most people who know me don't know I have MS. Whenever the topic comes up I do bring it up if it seems like an appropriate time but I don't really bring it up on my own otherwise. I've noticed too that I do so much and stay so busy with my paintings, business, baby, errands etc. that people don't seem to remember that little detail that is a part of who I am.

That little detail is exactly how I want it to be. I am very dedicated to taking my medicine and treating myself with respect by eating well and excercising well."