Elizabeth

My MS has progressed to the point where I am unable to use my hands and it is now affecting my speech. I am trying to find purpose in a life consumed by a chronic illness. You want to love your life, but you can also hate your life. It’s impossible not to feel overwhelmed. As an artist, I’m forced to redefine my profession each time my disease progresses. I would be a fool if I didn’t admit that I’m terrified of what MS has in store for me next. I have two wonderful sons and husband who have stood by me since the beginning and keep me going.

Read as text

 
Secondary Progressive
 
Elizabeth grew up in Rochester, New York and experienced the devastation of the race riots of the 1960s. These early experiences influenced her efforts of living a life devoted to social justice. Upon graduating from college, she entered law school and became a civil rights lawyer working on behalf of children. During her first five years as a lawyer she worked to end institutional abuse of incarcerated children. Later her focus switched to representing sick children who were unable to obtain adequate health care. She worked to redefine the legal definition of “medically necessary” health care for children. In 1991 her career path turned when she was at a playground with her young children and suddenly lost speech and became aphasic. She was taken to the hospital where she underwent a brain biopsy. The biopsy revealed demyelinating disease, a form of MS.
 
Click here to read about her artwork.