From Vulnerability to Empowerment with Marissa Nikitiuk
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be an isolating and challenging experience. However, for Marissa Nikitiuk, she has used her journey with MS as a way to empower and inspire others to share their story.
Marissa's journey with MS began with a whirlwind of emotions.
"It was definitely hard in the beginning to process my diagnosis," she recalls. "I spent a lot of time crying and just trying to get through day by day." The tingling and numbness that prompted her diagnosis left her feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. But Marissa refused to let despair consume her. Instead, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and explored various strategies to manage her symptoms.
"I took a holistic approach when I got diagnosed," Marissa shares. "I talked to a Naturopathic doctor, other people with MS, and met with Jack Kungel." Through this holistic path, she not only found physical healing but also realized the significance of nurturing her mindset and managing stress to maintain overall well-being.
Thanks to her support system, Marissa’s shares that they are pivotal in helping her stay strong through her journey.
"My parents, sister, and extended family got me through day by day after diagnosis," she acknowledges. "They checked in on me, made sure I ate, and didn't spend a lot of time alone."
Her journey has helped her come to a profound realization: the power of sharing and the importance of creating a safe space for others is important. Through her volunteer work as a Peer Support for the MS Society of Canada, she extends a compassionate hand to those in need. "When I was diagnosed, I reached out to the MS Society and had my own Peer Mentor talk me through being newly diagnosed," Marissa recounts. "To be able to return that is a full-circle moment. I love posting Tik Tok's about MS, and I don't shy away from talking about my disease to people," she reveals.
Describing herself as emotional, resilient and bubbly, Marissa shares that what empowers her daily is…
“Being confident in myself and the reminder that I ride a motorcycle. Makes me feel like a complete badass to be living with this chronic illness but learning to ride has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” she explains. "My dad has been riding all his life and he should have never put me on the back of a bike.”
Marissa's journey with MS began with a whirlwind of emotions.
"It was definitely hard in the beginning to process my diagnosis," she recalls. "I spent a lot of time crying and just trying to get through day by day." The tingling and numbness that prompted her diagnosis left her feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. But Marissa refused to let despair consume her. Instead, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and explored various strategies to manage her symptoms.
"I took a holistic approach when I got diagnosed," Marissa shares. "I talked to a Naturopathic doctor, other people with MS, and met with Jack Kungel." Through this holistic path, she not only found physical healing but also realized the significance of nurturing her mindset and managing stress to maintain overall well-being.
Thanks to her support system, Marissa’s shares that they are pivotal in helping her stay strong through her journey.
"My parents, sister, and extended family got me through day by day after diagnosis," she acknowledges. "They checked in on me, made sure I ate, and didn't spend a lot of time alone."
Her journey has helped her come to a profound realization: the power of sharing and the importance of creating a safe space for others is important. Through her volunteer work as a Peer Support for the MS Society of Canada, she extends a compassionate hand to those in need. "When I was diagnosed, I reached out to the MS Society and had my own Peer Mentor talk me through being newly diagnosed," Marissa recounts. "To be able to return that is a full-circle moment. I love posting Tik Tok's about MS, and I don't shy away from talking about my disease to people," she reveals.
Describing herself as emotional, resilient and bubbly, Marissa shares that what empowers her daily is…
“Being confident in myself and the reminder that I ride a motorcycle. Makes me feel like a complete badass to be living with this chronic illness but learning to ride has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” she explains. "My dad has been riding all his life and he should have never put me on the back of a bike.”
