Caledon resident has positive attitude about living with MS
MS Super Cities WALK
By Anneleen Naudts

Sara Lauro receives a lot of help and support from her family.

Sara Lauro was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six years ago. She had experienced symptoms for 20 years, but tests routinely yielded no results.

One day, Lauro developed vertigo, which usually results from a problem with the nerves and structures of the balance mechanism. Her neurologist swiftly booked an MRI scan, and the diagnosis soon followed. Lauro had MS.

"The diagnosis was hard to swallow," said Lauro. "It took about a year to stop thinking every minute of every day about MS."

Once cured of vertigo, Lauro said she experienced next to no symptoms. She made a conscious effort to refrain from wondering if any ailment could be related to MS. "A cold can just be a cold, or if I tripped it was due to me losing my balance." she commented. "Attributing it to MS is my last resort."

She began to approach MS positively.

"You stop thinking about it and live your life each day in a positive way, she said. "Positive thinking is a wonderful thing"

Lauro has the relapsingremitting type of MS, characterized by clearly defined attacks (relapses) followed by complete or partial recovery (remissions). While she had no relapses for five years, last year she developed diplopia, commonly known as double vision.

Dealing with the relapse required patience, since doctors couldn't determine how long diplopia would last. It lasted 10 months.

Upon recovery, Lauro returned to work. She said colleagues were surprised to see her back at the office, since people commonly don't return from long-term disability leave.

She said she was lucky to be able to modify her position. She is on a modified work schedule, and switched to a less demanding position. She reported feeling grateful her employer has been accommodating. "They've been very good to me - very patient and understanding," she commented.

MS does make Sara very tired. "All of us, regardless if we have MS, feel some level of tiredness or fatigue at some point in our lives. But the fatigue associated with MS is a different type of 'normal' tiredness." she said. "Every cell of your body is working so hard to control the disease."

To ward off fatigue, Lauro sometimes takes naps, and admitted she used to feel reluctant to do so. "I felt guilty about taking naps," she said. As a caregiver, she would feel obligated to run the household and look after her son and daughter. But her family has been very supportive and they help whenever they can, she added.

In the past five years, Lauro has been actively involved in the Bolton- Caledon MS support group. Last year, she also became a Board Member of the Brampton-Caledon MS society branch, representing the Bolton group.

At first, Lauro had reservations about joining the group. She said she was hesitant to be confronted with an image of how MS could potentially affect her. "I thought it would be such a downer," she commented.

Then she offered a friend a ride to the monthly support group meetings. "I started staying," she said. Being one of the more mobile people in the group, Lauro began helping out at the meetings.

"It is a great group and a great bunch of people," she remarked. "We all take part in making sure the group is successful.

She also tries to keep members in the loop. Lauro frequently sends e-mails to members with new information related to MS, as well as updates from meetings in the event someone couldn't attend.

She has participated in the Super Cities WALK for MS for the past four years. Her team, the Bolton'eers Trotters, won the most spirited award last year. "It's lot of fun," she said about participating in the WALK.

In anticipation of this year's WALK April 13, the team members are in the midst of collecting donations by organizing 50/50 draws and using the on-line donation tool on the MS Society's Web site. The team has collected $1,500 thus far.

Lauro is also in the process of organizing the MS carnation campaign, scheduled to take place during Mother's Day weekend in May.

When it comes to living with MS, Lauro maintains a positive attitude. She commented a positive approach takes work, but it is both rewarding and instigating for others surrounding her. "Happiness is contagious!" she said.

She also learned to admit she may need help sometimes. "You have to learn to ask for help," she commented. Some days are more difficult, she said, adding she has learned to accept this, and say, "today is not a good day."

Sometimes you have to take time for yourself, because in turn this is better for others, she remarked. "Tomorrow is another day, it's okay," she said reassuringly.

"You can have a full life, " she reflected. "MS is not a life sentence."