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Robert was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, a form of MS where symptoms steadily worsen from the beginning of the disease, without periods of remission or relapses.
Read about Robert's diagnosis journey and how even in the face of adversity, he still sees the glass half full.
Can you tell us about your MS diagnosis journey?
My MS story started in 2015. After a few years of endless tests, my medical team confirmed what I believed was coming — a diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS. While the diagnosis initially felt like a harsh severance from the life I had carefully built, it gradually became an invitation to redefine myself and my priorities.
Intensive physiotherapy twice a week for 90 minutes and health appointments became my new norm. Eventually, I discovered that all this physical training along with rest, healthy food, and reducing stress to a minimum were the building blocks that helped me battle this fall into the world of Primary Progressive MS.
Each day brought a new lens through which to view the world — one where resilience outweighed regret, and where adapting to each limitation taught me lessons of patience and gratitude.
The progression of MS has meant letting go of certain dreams, but it also ushered in unexpected opportunities to cultivate new passions and connections. It became clear that the journey was less about overcoming the disease and more about finding ways to thrive within its constraints, forging a path imbued with purpose and quiet determination.
"Each day brought a new lens through which to view the world — one where resilience outweighed regret, and where adapting to each limitation taught me lessons of patience and gratitude."
What were some of the challenges you faced early on?
Though the road has been paved with challenges, it also carries the promise of joy found in resilience and the unyielding support of a community that lifts me up when the weight feels too heavy to bear.
I felt a profound sense of shock and hopelessness because the job I loved and had dedicated 25 years to was suddenly out of reach. Being a Location Manager in the Alberta Film industry was a physically and intellectually demanding process. I needed to make changes, so I transitioned to finishing off my career staying in the same industry but instead being the Business Agent for the Directors Guild of Canada, Alberta District Council. After a few years in that role, my doctors informed me that some major complications meant I could no longer continue without causing extreme harm to my health. I was completely shocked and feeling hopeless.
I soon discovered that my new journey in life was focused on staying healthy and avoiding extended hospital visits, which occurred once or twice a year. Though my path forward seemed daunting, I began to embrace the idea that life with MS could still hold meaningful pursuits and unexpected joys. I realized that every step, no matter how slow or challenging, was a victory.
The support of my family and friends became my anchor, their encouragement reminding me that even when I felt like giving up, I had a purpose to keep moving forward. I discovered that finding joy in small moments—whether through a quiet walk, a good book, or a heartfelt conversation—was just as valuable as overcoming larger hurdles.
This shift in mindset gradually opened doors to new opportunities, allowing me to rediscover not only my resilience but also the beauty of living in the present.
“Though my path forward seemed daunting, I began to embrace the idea that life with MS could still hold meaningful pursuits and unexpected joys. I realized that every step, no matter how slow or challenging, was a victory.”
How has the Synaptic team supported you?
Through Synaptic, I discovered wheelchair basketball, reigniting my passion for sports and connecting me with a supportive community. At an open night scrimmage at Mount Royal University, I got hooked immediately. Believing my sports days were over, I was thrilled to be wrong. I tried out for a local team, worked hard, made the team, and competed at the National Championships in division 2 this past March. It was a significant experience, teaching me self-belief and introducing me to new friends and family.
The team at Synaptic provided me with tools to face my challenges without self-criticism. They have felt like guardian angels to me. Managing MS requires a support network — doctors, family, friends, and people you meet along the way.
Do you have any resources or advice you'd like to share with others who have been diagnosed with MS?
I have learned so much in my MS journey. Going from a goal of wanting to return to my normal self to realizing that normal had a new definition.
I will never give up trying to make myself the best I can be, it is just that the perceived idea may not be what you think it is. For me, this was the most difficult aspect of MS to deal with and if not for my mental health therapist and along with my team of doctors, physiotherapists, and my wife, I would have been a mess.
You never know what life will throw at you. It's not just about how you respond, but the act of responding itself.
I constantly research MS and find resources like MS Canada and Multiple Sclerosis Today useful. The more we understand this disease, the better we can educate others about its difficulties.
Though it may sound cliché, I've always seen the glass as half full. The effort required by my MS journey has made me a better person each day. MS is a terrible disease that takes a lot from you, but it has also taught me resilience.
