Yasmine Rwanyindo

Country: Rwanda
Age: 38
Year of diagnosis: August 2003
Occupation: Administrative and financial manager for a project

My name is Yasmine Rwanyindo and I currently live in Rwanda. I was born in Congo-Kinshasa, a country with an equatorial climate. At the age of 13, I regularly had insolations (sun-strokes) which was strange for a native person of Africa. I was diagnosed with MS in South Africa in August 2003 during a relapse – a diagnosis I didn’t understand because most of the doctors I had previously seen always said the problem was stress. In Africa, a girl of 38 years old who is single is not normal and most probably the reason for all my troubles they said.

The diagnosis was a relief for me – at least I had a name for my troubles – even if I didn’t understand it. Multiple sclerosis was, for me, a disease for older persons. I walked like a drunk person (very ironical for someone who does not drink) and was always very tired.

Once back in Rwanda, my family and I started to investigate the disease which allowed us to learn more. I also visited the MSIF website (www.msif.org) which helped me a lot since I discovered people who have the same problems as me, which made an end to my darkness.

When I was first diagnosed, I was fighting against the disease and did everything to please the others. But, if I was truthful, I knew that at the heart of myself I didn’t accept the disease – I was lost and I went through periods of deep depression. From time to time I still get depression now, but, with the help of God, I keep hope by saying to myself that all circumstances are for the good of those persons that love God. My family and some friends help me and they all pray for me. I continue to do my job but very difficultly. I have problems waking up in the morning and difficulty concentrating, and I don’t endure the heat very well.

Before, I thought that people living in developed countries were lucky and I was envious of them; what a stupid thing to think – I forgot that suffering is the same for everybody: it doesn’t favour anybody.

The battle is not yet won but one has to continue; if you don’t want to do it any longer for yourself, do it for those that are struggling with the disease. I hope that my story will help you – let's put all our efforts together.