Jane Ruggieri
Jane Ruggieri has up to the minute fashion sense which reflects her many years working as an importer in the fashion industry. A wife and mother at 29, life was bliss until she woke up one morning with visual disturbance for no apparent reason.
Following months of testing, this usually confident individual was feeling uncertain about her future, after the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis during 1992, the most common chronic neurological disease in young adults.
1992 turned out to be a confronting year but it was only the beginning of the display of ongoing inner strength which would be required for years to come.
The following year’s vision disturbance and mobility difficulties required the aid of a walking frame as an added accessory! Jane lost count of the number of times she would manage to fall at home and, in order not to alarm her daughter, would spend hours on the floor playing games while waiting for her husband to get home from work to help her up.
Interferon treatment commenced and gave Jane what felt like a second chance, allowing her to be independently mobile and have stable vision. Again Jane returned to part time work for six years – what joy! But this freedom was short-lived with Jane receiving a diagnosis of progressive multiple sclerosis. She was confined to a wheelchair. Nonetheless this incredible woman continues to remain positive by not letting the multiple sclerosis take over her life and focusing on what she can do, not what she can’t.
MS Ambassador Jane Ruggieri is a dedicated MS Ambassador who will inspire you with her engaging presence and abundance of inner strength.
What others have said about Jane's speaking spots:
- “Jane's story was most informative, it can be heard only from someone who is in the situation”
- “I felt privileged to hear what it’s like living with mutliple sclerosis"
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