LOVESICK PODCAST: Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Dawnia Marie was born in Pittsburgh, PA. At the age of 9, she moved to Los Angeles because her father was pursuing his music career. Dawnia resided in Inglewood, CA and graduated from Inglewood High. At the age of 20, Dawnia moved to Atlanta, GA. She received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from NCCU and a Masters degree in Corporate Finance and Project Management. In 2006, Dawnia’s body went numb from her chest down and in her hands. After a trip to the ER, a neurologist visit, and hours of MRI’s, Dawnia was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. In 2013, Dawnia moved back to California and in 2014 she was taking a class through the MS Society at USC. Through the class Dawnia began volunteering with the MS Society. This lead to being featured in a USC magazine, assisting in the office at the MS Society, being flown to Seattle, Washington to film a resilience campaign video, featured on the cover of the MS Momentum magazine, featured in multiple articles, becoming a District Activist Leader which she visits local government offices, flies to the capitol in California and Washington, DC to advocate for bills that benefit people living with MS and other sicknesses and diseases, was a part of the WeAreIllmatic campaign for women of color diagnosed with MS, an interview with KTLA regarding the Marilyn Hilton MS Achievement Center at UCLA, a video for Yahoo Lifestyles, We Believe campaign video for the MS Society, and asked to participate in a video for the Hilton family. The most important thing was becoming a self-help group leader. Currently, Dawnia is a self-help group facilitator for adults in their 20s-40s for the National MS Society. Seeing a need for a self-help group for teens, Dawnia spearheaded a self-help group for High School students and quickly spread to College Students called MS Youngsters that began in 2017. The MS Youngsters lovingly refer to her as their MS Mama. She also started a self-group for their parents/guardians. In 2020 Dawnia received the Inspirational Person of the Year Award for the Southern California/ Nevada Chapter of the NMSS. She also received the 2020 L.O.V.E. (Ladies Operating Very Effectively) Overcomer Award. Most recently she received the 2020 Volunteer Inspiration Award. Dawnia is a caregiver for her father who is also diagnosed with MS that is now bedridden. Since he lives in Pittsburgh she coordinates everything by phone, trips back to Pittsburgh to go to doctor's appointments with her dad, has relationships with every person involved in his care, and family that still lives in Pittsburgh. Currently, Dawnia is on the iConquerMS Caregivers Steering Committee member. True to her reputation, she maintained a positive outlook even after her diagnosis. Dawnia knows that God wasn’t bored one day and allowed her to be diagnosed with MS. She knows there is a purpose in every challenge and avoids asking "why me?". Dawnia's positivity can be attributed to her ability to see the bright side in every situation. She desires to show people another perspective when life presents seemingly insurmountable challenges. Dawnia is an example of what it means to make the necessary adjustments in order to continue living a fulfilling life. Dawnia is determined to not compare herself to others, but to focus on her blessings and who God designed her to be as she continues to live on the bright side!