March is MS awareness month. At 25 years old, Victoria Reese began experiencing numbness and tingling in her legs. She immediately knew something was wrong and sought medical attention from her primary care provider, who ordered an MRI of her legs. Finding nothing unusual in the results, he suggested that her symptoms could be due to stress or depression from her busy job as an assistant to a Hollywood talent agent. A week later, Reese began losing her vision and experiencing migraines that interfered with her daily life. The numbness and tingling spread to the side of her face. After visiting her doctor again, an MRI of her brain was ordered, revealing nine lesions indicative of multiple sclerosis (MS).
While Reese was eventually diagnosed correctly within six months of her initial visit, she believes her race played a role in MS being initially dismissed. Her white male provider told her that Black people do not get MS and prescribed antidepressants for her symptoms. Unfortunately, Reese’s experience is all too common, according to Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams, a specialist in MS with 20 years of clinical experience. In the healthcare industry, MS has traditionally been seen as a disease of young white women, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment for women of color.
There are nearly 25 treatments available to slow the progression of MS symptoms, so early detection is crucial for maintaining quality of life. It is estimated that about 1 million people in the United States have MS, an autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. Women between the ages of 20 and 50 are more likely to receive a diagnosis, with white women at a higher risk. However, recent research shows that more Black women are living with MS than previously thought.
There are four types of MS, with symptoms varying widely among individuals. Common symptoms include blurred vision, loss of vision in one eye, or difficulty distinguishing colors. Some may experience symptoms resembling a stroke, such as numbness or weakness on one side of the body. The location of nerve and immune system damage determines the symptoms experienced.
While MS itself is typically not fatal, it can be disabling if left untreated. It is important to seek medical attention for any unusual symptoms, as delays in treatment can worsen outcomes. Women of color may face additional barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment due to factors such as lack of awareness, access to healthcare, and systemic biases in the healthcare system.
Reese’s experience led her to raise awareness and establish a nonprofit organization, We Are ILL, to help patients advocate for themselves and improve medical outcomes. Through campaigns like #weareillmatic, she aims to empower Black millennial women facing similar challenges with MS. Reese’s journey highlights the importance of representation and education in improving healthcare outcomes for marginalized communities.
