A Social Work intern at The National Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Florida and Miami Lakes resident, Karla Gonzalez-Rubio, said it started with a dream.
“It started with a dream and an orange scarf. An orange scarf to symbolize Multiple Sclerosis awareness and a dream that this could be a world where no one with a chronic illness should have to ever feel alone,” said Gonzalez-Rubio.
Gonzalez-Rubio started MS Matched, a group for young women living with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease marked by the abnormal response of the body's immune system directed against the central nervous system. The body’s attack against its own nerve fibers and myelin, the nerve fiber insulators, result in mild, moderate or severe worsening of neurological function which can run the gamut of symptoms from chronic pain to walking difficulties.
“I started MS Matched as a way to honor the agency I serve, where I have met some of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever known and to give back to the community,” said Gonzalez-Rubio.
The approach to the group is more of equipping newly diagnosed women with the proper tools for hope and a positive future, rather than a place to wallow in mutual misery.
As someone who has lived with a chronic illness, Gonzalez-Rubio understands the difficulties but also hopes to lighten the load for others by giving the advice and support she says would have saved her “a lot of heartache” early in life.
Finding a location for the MS Matched group to meet was the next step, one that Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Manny Cid and co-owner Alexandra Alonso solved by offering the adult care center, Always At Your Side, as a meeting place.
“I am eternally grateful to Vice Mayor Cid and Alexandra Alonso for their support and generosity. They both so graciously lent us this private facility, located in Miami Lakes where the meetings are conducted on a weekly basis,”said Gonzalez-Rubio.
“It’s a great group and I am more than happy to help,” said Cid. “ I have had my own struggles so I understand the importance of giving back to the community in any way I can, not only by serving on the political side, but also within my business.”
Once a week, MS Matched group members congregate at the center after hours to share their personal stories, give words of encouragement and travel through this journey together. At the close of the 12 week meetings, the group met for a final time at Trattoria Pampered Chef for a sit-down dinner with Cid.
Gonzalez-Rubio hopes to continue the group with new members for another 12 week schedule if enough interest is shown.
“I thank the MS Society of South Florida for allowing me the opportunity to develop this group that has touched so many lives and enriched my own beyond what I thought was possible. I am thankful to my director, Suhaill Ruano, for her constant guidance and support,” said Gonzalez-Rubio.