I am a 60 year old woman who has had spinal problems since I was about 12 years old. I have had four major spine surgeries, the last being an anterior/posterior spinal fusion in 1994. I was diagnosed with MS in 1997, however I have probably had it since at least 1980, when during a surgery the doctor noticed that there was no myelin around the nerves and wrapped them with fatty tissue in an effort to protect them. The symptoms I started having in the 80s were considered to be a result of the nerve damage in my spine, and it wasn't until 1997 that I had an MRI of my brain, which showed lesions. I am alot more than my health issues though. I am the mother of a wonderful 38 year old daughter that I raised alone since she was 2. We had a wonderful life together and I am so proud of her as a woman, an attorney working on behalf of abused and neglected children, and who is now in a good marriage and the mother of two young sons. I had a successful career in Higher Education and Non Profit Administration.  My last position was Vice President at a prestigious NYC College. I have been on disability since 1998. The most difficult thing I have done in a long time was leave my career, and the years since have been all about change and transitions. I can no longer drive so I moved from Long Island to Manhattan and use public transportation to remain independent. I have met new people, became involved in my church and other organizations where I do some volunteer work, I sit on a non-profit Board of Directors and I do some freelance writing. My MS continues to progress, pain is still an issue in my life, but I refuse to let my health control me or to identify myself by my health. The most important thing to me is to maintain my independence and a positive relationship with my daughter and her family. I realize this is more than you ever wanted to know about me, but here I am. I look forward to getting to know you all. Denise