Multiple Sclerosis at 22
September 23, 2020
Jasmine Luna was Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 22 but still manages to get through everyday with a smile
Caden Swearingen
Jasmine Luna, daughter of Suzanne Morin of Butterfield, knew something was wrong from the moment her body went numb at 18. For most twenty-two-year olds, life is about starting a career and starting a family. But for Luna, it was about being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
MS is a progressive disease that causes the immune system to eat away at the protective covering of nerves. It damages and disrupts the communication between the body and the brain.
Luna was diagnosed a week after her twenty second birthday with the life-changing news. Luna worked at Walmart, a job she loved, when she first noticed her symptoms getting worse. It was hard for her to walk, climb a ladder, and lift boxes as heavy as twenty pounds.
“One night after work, my mom took me to the emergency room at Cassville Mercy where they told me that nothing was wrong and that it was just my low iron,” Luna said. “We told them that Multiple Sclerosis ran in my family because my father and his sister (my aunt) both have the disease.”
After the ER visit, Luna's mom decided to take her to the primary doctor in Cassville where he referred Luna for an MRI in Bentonville.
After the MRI, the primary doctor called her a week later and confirmed that Jasmine did have Multiple Sclerosis.
“It was emotionally and physically draining,” Luna said.
She has had trouble doing things she used to do in her everyday life. Drawing and cooking were two of Luna's favorite things to do, as well as favorite ways to unwind.
Luna can’t write her name or draw anymore without it looking like scribbles, due to the numbness in her hands caused by the slow reaction time between her body and brain.
It’s hard for Luna to cook and clean dishes. Because of the loss of feeling in her hands, using knives and sharp objects to prepare food for cooking is dangerous. Weather can also play a huge factor in Luna's everyday life. Heat causes inflammation and the coldness of winter causes her to have pain in her arms and legs.
“Don’t wait to go to the doctor if you know something is wrong,” Luna said.
Luna’s neurologist diagnosed her with Multiple Sclerosis at age 22.
“But,” Luna said, “I hid a lot of my symptoms from my family and friends before that, because I didn’t want to face the fact that I might have something seriously wrong with me.”
She hid the pain well for a time.
“Throughout my sickness, my biggest support system has been my boyfriend, my mom and my friends,” Luna said. “While I was down, I always had the most amazing supporters to pick me up.”
Luna currently lives in Branson West with her boyfriend. Even though her symptoms are in full force, Luna still goes through every day with a positive attitude.
Jasmine Luna, daughter of Suzanne Morin of Butterfield, knew something was wrong from the moment her body went numb at 18. For most twenty-two-year olds, life is about starting a career and starting a family. But for Luna, it was about being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
MS is a progressive disease that causes the immune system to eat away at the protective covering of nerves. It damages and disrupts the communication between the body and the brain.
Luna was diagnosed a week after her twenty second birthday with the life-changing news. Luna worked at Walmart, a job she loved, when she first noticed her symptoms getting worse. It was hard for her to walk, climb a ladder, and lift boxes as heavy as twenty pounds.
“One night after work, my mom took me to the emergency room at Cassville Mercy where they told me that nothing was wrong and that it was just my low iron,” Luna said. “We told them that Multiple Sclerosis ran in my family because my father and his sister (my aunt) both have the disease.”
After the ER visit, Luna's mom decided to take her to the primary doctor in Cassville where he referred Luna for an MRI in Bentonville.
After the MRI, the primary doctor called her a week later and confirmed that Jasmine did have Multiple Sclerosis.
“It was emotionally and physically draining,” Luna said.
She has had trouble doing things she used to do in her everyday life. Drawing and cooking were two of Luna's favorite things to do, as well as favorite ways to unwind.
Luna can’t write her name or draw anymore without it looking like scribbles, due to the numbness in her hands caused by the slow reaction time between her body and brain.
It’s hard for Luna to cook and clean dishes. Because of the loss of feeling in her hands, using knives and sharp objects to prepare food for cooking is dangerous. Weather can also play a huge factor in Luna's everyday life. Heat causes inflammation and the coldness of winter causes her to have pain in her arms and legs.
“Don’t wait to go to the doctor if you know something is wrong,” Luna said.
Luna’s neurologist diagnosed her with Multiple Sclerosis at age 22.
“But,” Luna said, “I hid a lot of my symptoms from my family and friends before that, because I didn’t want to face the fact that I might have something seriously wrong with me.”
She hid the pain well for a time.
“Throughout my sickness, my biggest support system has been my boyfriend, my mom and my friends,” Luna said. “While I was down, I always had the most amazing supporters to pick me up.”
Luna currently lives in Branson West with her boyfriend. Even though her symptoms are in full force, Luna still goes through every day with a positive attitude.
