Katia Prévost

Meet Katia Prévost. Katia lives with multiple sclerosis.

Katia was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2005. MS is a chronic disease that initially affects the central nervous system and eventually the rest of the body.

“MS has taken a great emotional, physical and psychological toll on me,” says Katia, who has lost much of her mobility and lives in constant pain. “My mobility has decreased while the symptoms have increased…they cast a dark cloud over my daily life,” she goes on.

Katia was first treated by the MS Clinic of the Montreal Neurological Institute, then by the Constance Lethbridge Centre, where she learned how to better cope with her condition. Today, when Katia speaks about her energy, she draws an analogy with money, saying “You have to save if you want to spend.”

“The Multiple Sclerosis Society gives me support and allows me to meet people in the same situation as me. No one can understand what you’re going through unless they’re going through the same thing. This kind of sharing is extremely helpful.”

Katia Prévost

She has also learned to lower her standards, including walking more slowly, sometimes with a cane, sometimes with a walker. When she’s up to it, Katia volunteers, “You can call this is my new job. The pay is fantastic and comes in the form of human contact.”

Despite her struggles, Katia is hopeful that with research, new treatments will be discovered.

Until then, she lives her life her way, with her adapted chair, which supports her arms when applying makeup, cooking or doing dishes, and her cane, which helps her not only walk…but go dancing as well.

“Besides keeping you mobile, a walker is a sure-fire way to get the best seats at a concert. I’m Katia Prévost and I am living proof that donating to HealthPartners works.”