The Student News Site of Lake Central High School

Lake Central News

The Student News Site of Lake Central High School

Lake Central News

The Student News Site of Lake Central High School

Lake Central News

Q&A: Emily Harleyn (9)

Emily+Harley+%289%29+poses+in+a+shirt+that+supports+her+disease.+She+wore+this+shirt+to+show+that+she+is+strong+despite+her+disease+and+to+raise+awareness+for+multiple+sclerosis.
Emily Harley (9) poses in a shirt that supports her disease. She wore this shirt to show that she is strong despite her disease and to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis.

Q: What condition do you have?

A: I have multiple sclerosis. It’s an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your central nervous system, which is your brain, optic nerve and spine.

Q: When did you first get symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

A: I first got my major symptom on Feb. 12, 2017, which was double vision. The next day I got muscle pains and extreme fatigue. I was sleeping 15 hours a day.

Q: Has this been affecting your mental health at all?

A: When I have flare-ups, I space out a lot more and it makes me less aware during stressful situations.

Q: How has this impacted your family?

A: My little brother feels left out a lot, especially now since my mom is taking a lot more care of me. My mom is also very stressed all the time.

Q: What do you have to do to stay healthy?

A: I have to go to sleep at 8:30 every night. I also have to eat healthy—I can’t have sugar or gluten.

Q: How have your friends and family shown support?

A: My friends brought me flowers, stuffed animals and treats. They brought their emotional support and it was really nice. My family has also visited a lot more and gave me things to help me feel better.

Q:What is a another downside to having this condition besides the health risks?

A: I had to change my way of life pretty much out of nowhere which is really unfortunate.

Q: Are there any positives to having multiple sclerosis?

A: The school said I can pretty much do whatever I want, but I don’t like to because the teachers get really annoyed. I have met many people who also have what I have and it’s been very nice to meet new people and hear their stories about what they’re going through.

 

More to Discover
About the Contributor
Liberty Toweson, Author