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Imprints: Standing on her own two feet, living life each day
Athlete turned pre-pharmacy major deals with diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at age 21, turns to helping others through OSU MS Clinic
Ashley Slocki
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
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"There are so many people that don't even know that they are one of my main supporters, the people I see everyday at the gym when I work show motivation and drive," said Gin, a fifth year pre-pharmacy major.
Gin will be starting OSU's pharmacy program next fall - a dream she has had since her senior year in high school - but her story does not stop there.
Gin, a Beaverton resident, came to OSU thinking about the future and getting into pharmacy school.
In September 2005, Gin noticed she was not able to walk normally, but being an athlete in high school, she ignored it for a month, assuming it was just a pulled muscle.
"Then there was a point where I was dragging my right leg, and I was tripping and falling - I didn't know why," Gin said.
That day Gin went to Student Health Services. They sent her to the hospital.
Gin had an MRI and a spinal tap while alone in the hospital, waiting for her mother to arrive.
"A neurologist came in and said 'you might have MS,' and I had no idea what it was," Gin said. "I have never felt so alone and even when people came I still felt I was out in my own world."
Waiting for the official results, Gin isolated herself from everyone, in total denial about her potential diagnosis. By November she was officially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 21.
Gin explained MS as having a "gap" in the brain, or a short circuit.
"Your brain knows what you are trying to do, but can't communicate well with the rest of your body. My brain may be trying to balance, but my body is not getting the message."
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