Freelance Writer, Blogger, and Multiple Sclerosis Advocate.

Romantic notions of writing have been with me since childhood, but life's highway took me in other directions. I almost forgot about those youthful dreams as the years passed in a blur of children and work.

Life has a way of shaking things up, with or without our consent. When change was forced upon me, in the form of multiple sclerosis, I found myself at a crossroads. I could choose to dwell upon what I can no longer do, or I could choose to try my hand at something new.

Even reluctant change can be a positive thing. I am a writer! This writer's journey has only just begun. The path ahead has many twists and turns, and I can't wait to see what's around the bend.

When my husband, Jim, and I began blogging in order to express ourselves through writing, we decided to create pen names. Our blogs touched on such personal topics as marriage, family life, and our experiences living with multiple sclerosis. Jake and Mandy were born out of our concern for privacy.

Our blog, MS Maze, focusing the day-to-day reality of living with multiple sclerosis,caught the attention of The Health Central Network. I was asked to contribute two articles per week for their site, MultipleSclerosisCentral.com. It was only natural that Mandy would make that leap. Soon, Jim, as Jake, was also brought on board, contributing two articles per month from the caregiver perspective.

When I began writing for In The Trenches Productions, it made sense to continue as Mandy, in order to bring along her following.

After MSFocus Magazine requested that I write an article based on some of my previous work, I decided it was time to extricate Ann from Mandy's shadow. Don't get me wrong -- Mandy has been very good to me. Her work will continue, but all new ventures belong to Ann.

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A Writer's Journey: Ann

Mandy (Patient Expert) on Multiple Sclerosis Central

Conversations Over Dinner

MS Maze

Jake (Caregiver Expert) on Multiple Sclerosis Central

Ann on BlogHer

Women Over 40 Rock!