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Tracy MacDonald, Skowhegan, ME
Tracy MacDonald, age 31, from Skowhegan, Maine, had always led an active life. A native of New Brunswick, Canada, she played varsity sports in high school and college and competed in the Canada Games. But during the summer of 1998, when her first daughter was just a year old, Tracy started experiencing vision problems — black spots that obscured her sight. Her eye doctor told her it was optic neuritis and sent her to the neurologist. By October, barely three months after the onset of her first symptoms at the age of 28, she was diagnosed with MS.
Because she had always been athletic, she figured she would have a mild form of the disease. But after the birth of her second daughter in 2000, began having more frequent attacks, which worsened her symptoms.
Tracy recalls feeling overwhelmed. She went from being someone who was always on the go, to needing to plan her days carefully. She gives a lot of credit to her husband for helping her to cope successfully with her MS. “He never lets me feel sorry for myself or feel like I am missing out on doing the things I love,” she says.
She has problems with balance and coordination and uses a cane for walking outside. Tracy says her worst symptom is chronic fatigue. By mid-afternoon, she is extremely tired. “If my girls want me to chase them, I say ‘Mommy can’t. You’ll have to wait until Daddy comes home.’”
Tracy conserves her energy for what’s important – like swimming with her daughters and taking water aerobics classes. “I used to be kind of a neat freak, but I let that go. I don’t have to have everything perfect now.”
She has been able to continue working part-time as a civil engineer for the State of Maine Department of Transportation doing bridge maintenance. She does less fieldwork because of her MS, but enjoys more flexible hours, which gives her more time for her family.
Tracy and her husband enjoy outdoor activities, which is why she chose to use her Betaseron Champions of Courage grant to purchase an electric bicycle. Her new “Pedal Assist Ebike,” manufactured by EV Global Motors Company, supplies extra power through a 24-volt battery when she pedals. A sensor inside the motor regulates the power output based on how hard and how fast Tracy pedals. Now, when she feels a little bit tired or is going uphill, she gets a little boost from the battery, while still getting good exercise (Tracy must pedal in order to engage the electric power).
Tracy loves the new bike (hers is bright red) and has even been able to haul the kids in the trailer with it. Now she and her family can enjoy bike riding together again.
“I used to like to push myself physically and still do, just with much lower limits. Now we do things on a smaller scale – like family hikes and canoe trips. I have learned to take pleasure in accomplishing things based on how I am feeling that day, not based on what I used to be able to do,” says Tracy.
Tracy is particularly inspired by her husband’s uncle who was disabled by polio, but who has continued to live a full and active life. “Even before I had MS I admired him, but now I just can’t believe what he has accomplished and strive to be as strong as him.”
“When I stop and look at my life now, I am happy,” continues Tracy. “I have two great kids, a husband who supports me, an active lifestyle, a great balance between being home and a job I love. I wouldn’t be honest if I said I am not frustrated and don’t feel like I’ve lost my old self in ways, but I am learning new ways everyday of dealing with the uncertainties of this disease and I am thankful for all I have.”
