My World is Shifting Again: Embracing a New Purpose

Life has a way of changing course when you least expect it. Since my diagnosis with MS, I’ve been on a journey—one that has tested my resilience, changed my perspective, and forced me to reevaluate my purpose. Now, I find myself standing on the edge of a new chapter. I’ve been contacted to become a District Activist Leader with the National MS Society, and the weight of that opportunity has stirred something within me.

This role would require me to connect with local government officials, advocate for policies that support those of us living with MS, and build relationships that can bring about real change. And here's the kicker: I’d be doing it not as Eve Phoenix, but as Angie—my true, unguarded self. For so long, I’ve preferred to be the quiet doer, contributing behind the scenes. I’ve enjoyed doing the work without the spotlight, without the recognition. But now, I’m stepping into a position where I will be seen, where I’ll be using my voice in a very public way.

It’s unnerving. I’m not used to standing at the forefront, especially when the cause is as personal as this. My instinct has always been to push myself backstage, focusing on the work rather than my own story. But MS is teaching me that my story is not something I can push away. It’s front and center now, and perhaps it always should have been.

What’s remarkable is that I now realize that every path I’ve taken, every skill I’ve learned, and every challenge I’ve faced has been preparing me for this moment. My life has been a series of quiet preparations for something much larger than I imagined. I’ve always been committed to making a difference, but I’m finally seeing that my story has value—not just for me, but for others. I’ve spent years building relationships, finding ways to uplift those around me, and learning to navigate complexities that now seem like the perfect training ground for this new role.

Becoming an advocate for MS feels like stepping into a purpose that’s been quietly shaping itself in the background of my life. It’s both terrifying and exciting. I’m about to start advocating not just for myself, but for all of us living with MS. It’s no longer just a personal battle—it’s a collective one. And this time, I won’t be doing it from behind the curtain. I’ll be standing in the light.

I’m ready to embrace this new adventure, as Angie—authentic, unmasked, and fully present. MS has redefined my purpose in ways I could never have predicted. It’s not just about the disease; it’s about the transformation it’s brought into my life. I can see now that this journey isn’t about retreating or shrinking away from the challenge. It’s about standing tall, owning my story, and allowing it to inspire and impact the lives of others.

So here I am, stepping forward, with the understanding that this is what I was meant to do all along.

Embracing a New Purpose

In shadows, I once wove my quiet thread,

Content to craft, unseen, the work I'd sow,

For years I watched the seeds of action grow,

While hiding from the light I came to dread.

But now, a voice within me stirs instead,

A call to rise, to let my story show,

To stand before the world, no longer low,

And speak for those with burdens left unsaid.

This journey’s path has led me to this door,

Where purpose waits, reshaped by trials passed,

And I, reborn, must step into the fray.

Though fear may whisper, urging me to stay,

I know that every moment, from the last,

Has readied me for what my life is for.

Much love,

E.P.