(In her own words)
My name is Anjali Vyas, and I hail from Bhandara, Maharashtra. In 2014, while pursuing Chemical Engineering, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. What should have been a time of ambition and growth turned into uncertainty and fear. Vision loss led to low attendance, and my college refused to let me sit for exams. The experience was bitter for me and my family, but I refused to give up. I fought back, completed my degree, and graduated with flying colours. That was my first lesson with MS: resilience is a choice.
The first year after diagnosis was the hardest. Acceptance did not come easily. To support myself, I began taking home tuitions. Slowly, I started reading about MS, understanding my body, and coming to terms with this invisible condition. In 2016, I wrote to the Prime Minister of India, urging better research and affordable treatment for MS. That letter marked the beginning of my journey as a self-advocate.
I adapted my life in small but powerful ways- doing household chores, helping my mother clean the house, watering plants, drawing water from the well, exercising, and focusing on emotional, physical, and mental well-being. MS taught me to listen to my body and respect my limits without letting them define me.
In 2018, I made a bold decision to switch my career from Engineering to IELTS training. I moved to Pune, started working as an IELTS Trainer, and joined the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI), Pune. Through MSSI, I found my voice. That same year, my students sensitised over 200 general practitioners in and around Pune about MS – proof that awareness can begin in classrooms.
With a strong support system, my family, parents and MSSI who believed in me, I continued my advocacy. I attended national and international conferences, consultations, and platforms, speaking openly about MS, invisible symptoms, UDID certification, and the everyday challenges faced by persons with MS.
During COVID, I worked remotely from my home in Bhandara, continuing my efforts despite isolation. In 2021, I was honoured as India MS Person of the Year by MSSI. This recognition strengthened my resolve. I pursued a fellowship with NCPEDP, researching employment challenges faced by persons with MS, and conducted employer sensitisation sessions for organisations like EY, British Telecom, Deloitte, and Extentia.
My NCPEDP journey took me to the United States with my mother under the International Visitor Leadership Program. The experience transformed my perspective. On returning, I contributed to national-level work on reasonable accommodation policies with NCVET and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
In 2023, I was named an MS Ambassador at the Purple Fest in Goa. As an IELTS Trainer, I recently led a government project on Accessible IELTS for Persons with Disabilities with DEPWD, MSJE, the biggest accomplishment of my life!!
My journey with MS is ongoing. I continue to accept, adapt, and achieve -not just for myself, but for the MS community and the wider disability sector.
