Marti Hines on living with MS: the bad, the good, dating, embracing faith, having gratitude and everything in between

Today, Jean is joined by the incredibly inspiring Marti Hines, a dedicated advocate for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). As a Black woman living with MS, Marti shares her powerful journey, shedding light on the unique challenges and triumphs she has faced along the way. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and unwavering determination, offering invaluable insights into the intersection of race, gender, and chronic illness. Marti's advocacy work not only highlights the struggles but also celebrates the strength of those navigating life with this condition.

In late 2019, Marti launched the platform Marti’s MS Life as a transparent way to share her journey with Multiple Sclerosis. Marti was first diagnosed with the immune disorder in 2018 after a scary incident when she woke to find the left side of her body paralyzed. After hours of being poked, prodded and med vacced to a second hospital, an MRI scan finally showed several lesions on the then 35 year old’s brain and spinal cord ultimately resulting in the unexpected diagnosis. 

Since that time, Marti has experienced a roller coaster of denial and grief as she watched her body take a mind of its own, feeling non stop pain and witnessing a lack of control over her mind, limbs, vision and even her bladder. Nevertheless, Marti has persisted with God and a strong support system. 

As a Black woman, it was quick to see there was much unknown about the disease in general, but more so there are heightened symptoms for people of color. With that in mind, Marti decided to use her voice, her position in the entertainment world of Hollywood and her newly created Marti’s MS Life platform to shed light and be a resource for other MS warriors and the general public to create awareness. 

Connect with Marti… 

On Instagram: @martis_mslife

Via her website: www.martihines.com

Listen to Marti’s (incredible) podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-through-pain-a-journey-to-hope/id1728761460

Learn more on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcuPGwWmrm5fHgOa2opmd6dLJrQe78FmH&si=B-sY3rkVQuZDFfN9

Resources referenced in the episode: 

Read Marti and Jean’s book recommendation The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck  to explore the very nature of loving relationships - especially the relationship you have with yourself.