My MS Journey
My name is Kimberly Ralston. I am a proud 61-year-old woman who has been blessed to share incredible 42 years of friendship and 37 years of marriage with my husband, Jerome. Together, we’ve built a beautiful family that includes our two amazing children, Joshua, who is 30, and Mariah, who is 28. My cherished mother, Artelia, whom we call granny and my beloved rescue dog, Koko, who has since passed to doggy heaven, complete our loving household, which I affectionately call “the Ralston’s.”
In May 1995, just five months after I experienced the unparalleled joy of welcoming my son Joshua into the world, life threw me an unexpected curveball. I was involved in a car accident, sustaining a facial injury. Initially, I thought the worst was over. However, within a couple of weeks, I began to experience blurry vision—an unsettling symptom that persisted. I sought answers, moving from one specialist to another, until a neurologist delivered a life-altering diagnosis with disturbing casualness: “You have MS—Multiple Sclerosis.” In that moment, my life changed forever.
From then on, my body became a battleground. Strange, unexplainable sensations coursed through me, each symptom presenting a new challenge to overcome. With determination, I adapted to each new reality, refusing to let MS define me. However, just three months into my diagnosis, I faced my first major exacerbation—a flare-up so severe that it hospitalized me with debilitating vertigo. For 7 to 10 grueling days, I lay in a hospital bed, tethered to IV steroids, fighting for stability. Though I left the hospital feeling better, I knew that each flare-up chipped away a piece of me, leaving scars that were invisible to the eye but deeply felt in my spirit. Yet, I soldiered on, functioning, adapting, and surviving.
Over time, I hesitantly embraced various treatments, clinging to hope that each one might offer a lifeline. Unfortunately, my body began to resist, developing antibodies that rendered many medications ineffective. But I am not one to give up. Previously, I relied on Tysabri, a monthly infusion that helps me manage this relentless disease. Through it all, I have become my own fiercest advocate—a warrior for my health, a protector of my body, and a guardian of my spirit. I am deeply committed to understanding my disease and managing it with unwavering determination.
Beyond pharmaceuticals, I’ve made a conscious choice to honor my body and strengthen my immune system through holistic practices. Some days, I start my morning by juicing the freshest, greenest vegetables nature has to offer. I nourish myself with an abundance of fruits and vegetables, cherishing their natural vitality. I push my body to move—exercising daily, even when it feels impossible. I immerse myself in the wisdom of the Bible and the inspiring lessons found in other books. I embrace the power of routine, getting dressed and stepping out of the house every day to remind myself that life exists beyond the walls of my diagnosis.
MS may have taken a lot from me, but it has not taken my will to fight. Each day, I wake up and make the choice to live—to truly live. I choose hope, resilience, and gratitude. I choose to cherish each fleeting moment and create lasting memories. I choose to fight the disease that is fighting me. This is my MS journey, and I am not giving up. I am more than my diagnosis. I am a warrior.
