12th Diagnosiversary.

While walking out of Victoria General Hospital (with a cane) after my first MRI, I got a call from the hospital. They were already ready with results, and it had only been 20 minutes since my scan. They said to 18-year-old me over the phone, "Miss Wade, we believe you have MS."

January 18, 2008
I was given my diagnosis.

For 11 days I had been hobbling around with a cane after waking up with my left leg totally paralyzed. There were all sorts of suggested diagnoses up in the air (Lupus, Lymes, etc) and while MS had been  suggested, we always deemed this the "Worst Case Scenario".

When I was given the news, I remember just folding into myself and being embraced by my mum. We were barely out of the hospital, just about to reach the parking lot, and this news hit us like a ton of bricks.

With teary eyes and while still very spacey from Ativan I was given for the MRI, I turned to my mum and said,"Go big or go home, right?"  We laughed, and I knew I was going to be alright.

With Phil Ferreira. I was 20 years old and gave a speech about my 2 short years of experience with MS. What an honor it was to speak at this MS fundraiser.

I always acknowledge this day, and reflect on things I love and am grateful for.

Family (#1, always.)
Love
Friends
Mentors
Adventure
Growth
Art
Community
Curiosity
Adaptation

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Sure, circumstances in my life may have not been totally ideal over the past 12 years... but I have done so many things in such a short time, and am proud of that!

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Here are a few photos from along the way:
These are some of the first photos or moments I thought of as I typed this post, and this is only a glimpse at some of the things I've done, or overcome.

This was December 25, 2010- The morning I woke up and was able to move my arm again after 2 months of paralysis!

I was the cover of a London Drugs beauty catalogue in 2015.

I survived the reversal of my breathing tube and avoided having to get a tracheotomy.

So. Many. TV Shows and Movies. So my cool costumes.

So many adventures with Nathan!

Worked with some amazing creatives and was published many times.

Mum was there for me every step of the way. <3

I was a "stunt performer" on The Exorcist (S03E01)

Graduated nursing school with honors.

Did makeup for old friends who have supported my makeup work since the beginning!

Spent lots of time in nature, and most often with my film camera.

Published in a yacht magazine for my boat work!

Adopted my best friend, Leroy.

Family had some major ups and downs with health, but are happy and healthy now!

Helped at a very special little art shop and learned so much from my good friend and mentor, Stan. RIP

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Celebrating the fact that I can currently walk, see, talk, hear and taste. My sensation is still a little funny, but there are little improvements day by day. Feeling grateful, proud, determined and confident that I'll be back to thriving soon enough.

Thank you for all of your love and support along the way!