Spotlight on...
Katrina, The Philippines
 Introduce yourself!
I am Katrina. I was diagnosed with MS November
1983 aged 23. Initial symptoms were optic neuritis, unexplained itching on my
shoulders, paralysis of my lower limbs and general weekness in my upper limbs.
I was able to recover within 3 months of taking the maximum allowable oral
steroids and mega doses of prayer. I married in 1986 (no children), but was
estranged 2 years ago.
I experienced a relapse in 1993 and was unable to
fully recuperate. Deficits since the exacerbation are blindness in my right eye
and blurriness in the left, tingling in both hands, stiffness in both legs and
tightness in my lower torso.
Among the medications given to me during the
17-year period were: Mutabon, Haldol, Baclofen, Tegretol, Solu-Medrol, Gama
Globulin, Imuran, Dapsone and Prednison (which I'm currently taking as
maintainance). Supplements include Lecithin, Vitamins B, C and E, and calcium.
I've also been diagnosed with Necrosed femoral bones as a side-effect of
long-term use of steroids (and am in fact overdue for total hip replacement).
However, my neurologist is against the recommendation of the orthopedist since
the trauma of the surgical procedure might result in further neurological
damage thus causing more complications.
Prior to MS, I worked as a Secretary in an
advertising agency. I was a volleyball player in college, a hardcourt
cheerleader/dancer in High School, a church choir member and youth leader in
our community.
In 1984, while in remission, I travelled to the
US where I was able to speak to some people with MS through the assistance of
the MS Society in Boston, Massachusets. When I got back to the Philippines, I
was featured in a half-page article of a daily national broadsheet, mentioning
my desire to establish an MS Society in my country. The article drew attantion
and thus was born the MS Society of the Philippines, where I'm the Public
Relations Officer. The effort enabled us to gather 30 members.
Ten years later (1994), I started up my own
tri-media production outfit, Kornerstone Productions, to be able to have a
program for the disabled sector. I was Producer and Host of 'K-Forum' (K for
'kapansanan' or 'disability'), a 2-hour weekly broadcast aired on one of my
country's top 3 largest networks. This served as an outlet forour gripes and
dialogue with government and non-government organizations involved with the
sector.
My work and dedication to the sector was
recognized by my country's president when I was awarded 'Disabled-Friendly
Media Personality 1998'. A 90-minute dramatization of my life's story was aired
on national TV in celebration of the annual National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation (NDPR) week.
The demise of the program in 1998 was due to my
separation from my husband. I had to physically uproot myself from the
country's capital where the studio was located to join my parents in another
island.
I now reside in a coastal city with my retired
parents. My family owns a beach resort 20 miles south of this island where I
often enjoy my weekends. I assist local disabled people in this province,
however only as a consultant on livelihood projects and in doing
correspondence. I use a computer with speech synthesis.
When did MS enter your life?
MS arrived when I was 23 ( 17 years ago). I was
then working as a secretary in an advertising agency.
What do you now know about MS that you wish
you'd known when you were diagnosed?
Lots, lots, lots. MS was hardly known in my
country as it was believed to be endemic only in temperate countries and
commonly inflicted caucassians. In fact, I was misdiagnosed by 2 neurologists
prior to conclusively being diagnosed with MS. This was because there was not
much medical information to support MS cases in tropical countries. My having
been featured in a national newspaper in February 1986 opened the minds of
medical professionals regarding the possibility of MS in the Philippines.
The MS Society of the Philippines being my
brainchild forced me to correspond with other international MS organizations. I
used to receive regular updates/journals in the earlier years of the disease.
These materials helped me a lot. However, Jooly's Joint helped me even more
since the information I get from this site is more up-to-date and personal. The
discovery of JJ makes me feel more atune with other MSers - since I have no
access to printed matter any more (due to optic neuritis) I listen to
information via my computer which i is equipped with a voice synthesizer.
Almost everything I need to know about MS is available over the Internet. Its
interactive presentation is of much help.
Lowest point in your life with MS
When the doctors could not give a name for my
disease. When all the syptoms came one after another. I attempted suicide 3
times.
Highest point in your life with
MS
While I was in remmission from 1983 to 1993.
During this time, I worked as a secretary to the Entertainment Manager in one
of my country's 5-star hotels where I got to meet the best artists/singers of
the Philippines; travelled to the US East and West coasts; enrolled in Bible
School; involved myself in prison ministry where I would lead praise and
worship singing during fellowships; get married and be a home maker; have a
business of my own as proprietress of a beauty salon on board a passenger
vessel that travelled to key cities of my country's 7,100 islands.
In 1993, when I had a serious exacerbation, I
explored the possibility of reaching out not only to MSers but also to the rest
of the disabled sector. I ventured into radio production of a niche program
that catered to the needs and interests of people with disabilities. This
venture enabled me to expand my circle of friends and made me discover I had a
talent for broadcasting.
What do people with MS need to help them enjoy
fulfilling lives?
First is to know that our creator does not make
garbage. That each of us have a purpose or mission in this planet. That we are
all masterpieces of God's creation. That we should count our blessings - there
are other people worse off than ourselves. That we should thank the Lord at all
times, forgetting the 'What could have beens' and focus on 'What shall I do?'.
Live each day as it comes - one day at a time. You don't have to understand
everything. Be happy, content and always smile.
When and how did you discover Jooly's Joint?
My sister was surfing and she asked me if I
wanted to join, so I agreed.
What keeps you coming back to Jooly's Joint?
The camaraderie, openness, company, laughter,
information, updates, friendship, understanding, discussions, tips, sharing,
people, insights, everything!
What are your ambitions?
I guess I've already carved a legacy and made a
mark in my country's broadcast industry by pioneering a program that
exclusively catered to the disabled sector and by being recognized by no less
than our president. Now that I've retired from service, I'd like to learn more
about this computer and perhaps be a scriptwriter, novelist, newspaper
contributor or anything which I can do with this keyboard.
What message would you give to newly diagnosed
people?
That they are not alone. That there are millions
of others with the same disease. That they'll meet them with just the stroke of
their fingers on the keyboard. That they're all in Joolys Joint. So, come and
join the club!
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