Living Life to the Fullest with Multiple Sclerosis

Sending Aaron to the Game

In January, Revere Health sent Aaron Emory, a patient at Orem Family Medicine, and family to the BYU Basketball game against the Loyola Marymount Lions.

In 2005, Aaron was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The initial diagnosis was upsetting for both him and his family, but he set out on a mission to learn everything he could about his disease so that he could be prepared to combat any hurdle that may find its way into their lives. Throughout the past 11 years with MS, Aaron has lost the ability to play with his children, walk or even stand for long periods of time, but this hasn’t stopped him. His ambition and passion for life have not changed and he is still able to maintain his full-time position as a healthcare professional.

 

A Passion for Healthcare

Since Aaron was a boy, he’s had a passion for medicine and always dreamed of going to medical school to become a doctor. He began his journey working as a CNA where he met his wife, Jessica. They have four boys together ranging from ages five to 16. Aaron currently works as an Administrator and Director of Nursing for a small facility that focuses on caring for adults with intellectual disabilities.

“I find the work highly rewarding,” Aaron said about his experience working with intellectually disabled adults, “I cannot believe how fortunate I am to work in this industry.”

Despite the physical toll MS has taken on his body, Aaron is still able to enjoy his career and supports his children in every sporting, social or school event that they participate in. There has been a great deal of sacrifice from his wife and children over the years, but Aaron is grateful to have such a supportive family.

“My wife and children are very patient and supporting,” Aaron said, “we refuse to let my MS define our lives or affect our family in a negative way.”

 

Spending Quality Time Together

MS has changed the dynamic of the Emory family in many aspects, but they still find new ways to spend quality time together. Instead of playing sports with his boys or wrestling with them, Aaron has been able to adapt the care he needs into fun games for his kids that help them draw closer together as a family.

They race to see who can put Dad’s shoes on the fastest, see who is strong enough to push Dad up the wheelchair ramp or see who can hold on to the back of Dad’s motorized wheelchair the longest without letting go.

“As an individual living with MS, I feel compelled to live my life to the fullest,” Aaron said, “I will not be defined by my disease”.