Kate Casey was 18, attending university and an active teenager who played squash and loved yoga when she started experiencing chronic dizziness and lethargy. Then out of the blue, for Kate, she received a diagnosis of MS.
To say she was in shock is an understatement – it was the last thing she could have imagined.
However, Kate’s positive attitude meant she learnt as much as she could about MS which changed the way she looked at her diagnosis and how she could manage her symptoms. Kate is passionate about promoting “life after MS” in a positive and humorous way, but also a realistic and relatable way.
Kate says she started medication, she listened to her body, made lifestyle changes and negotiates with the activities she has in her day. Kate’s positive approach is that living with MS doesn’t mean you let it rule your life, but you may negotiate different activities in your day and do less of some things.
Living in Townsville, Kate looked to join a support group but couldn’t find one for young people, so decided to create a Young person living with MS Support Group which has 20 members and new members are always welcome.
Fourteen years since diagnosis, and what seems long past her uni days she has a successful career and is happily married. The young people with MS Support Group continues to grow and has provided great friendships, lots of laughs and unwavering support for each other.
Passion issues:
Sharing her story with newly diagnosed
Employment
Support Groups
Life after MS diagnosis
Regional Ambassador