MILWAUKEE — Raven Henderson is always up to something — whether it’s swimming, spending time with friends or activism work.

Ten years ago, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 

“If I’m having a bad day, I usually rest and try not to overdo it,” said Henderson.

She said it was a tough pill to swallow when she got the news about her diagnoses.

“I did feel like my life was over,” said Henderson. “I didn’t know when my expiration date was going to come. I thought it was coming a lot sooner than later.”

She said she has weakness and fatigue in her legs, tremors, cognitive issues and loss of memory. It took her a couple of years to come to terms with her new reality.

“I said, 'I cannot live like this,'” said Henderson. “'I have to make it.' I didn’t like myself. I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I said, 'I have to change.”'

That change began by advocating for herself and finding the right team of doctors, medications, working out and eating healthy. Along with immersing herself in the MS community.

“I want to be a resource for anyone who needs me,” said Henderson. “I definitely want to be involved in the MS community. I definitely want to be involved in the African American MS community to help because it’s very underrepresented community. Not only in research but understanding that the disease affects us differently. The progression affects us worse than our caucasian counterparts.”

She said she wants others who are newly diagnosed with MS to know they can still thrive and there’s a community of people behind them.

“When you’re first diagnosed, you feel very alone and isolated,” said Henderson. “Sometimes we isolate ourselves but in truth you’re not alone. You have a huge community. When you see this see of orange you know you have a family.”

Henderson said her pain is her strength and it reminds her to keep pushing forward to continue being a voice for herself and others.