Styling Life with MS: A Hairstylist’s Journey of Passion, Adaptation, and Resilience

“I never imagined my scissors would be the thing that made everything real. I’m a hairstylist and one day, while I was working with a client, my hand just wouldn’t open and close properly. It took me so long to finish her haircut. Before that, I’d been dealing with numbness in my face, tingling in my right arm, and my right leg wasn’t working the way it should. But in that moment, it hit me that something was seriously wrong and could impact my life and career.

After some tests and an MRI, I got a call from a neurologist on New Year’s Eve 2021. When I heard the words ‘multiple sclerosis,’ fear set in. I started crying, thinking about what my life was going to look like moving forward. At the time, I had a one-year-old baby, and I’d just had knee surgery earlier that year. It was overwhelming. 

Before my diagnosis, I didn’t know much about MS. I’d had back pain, so a doctor had once mentioned the possibility of lesions or MS, but I didn’t have any symptoms then. It wasn’t until I heard ‘you HAVE multiple sclerosis’ that it truly entered my world, and it was terrifying.

I experience numbness and tingling, especially in my hands and toes. Fatigue is always there, and anxiety comes with it too. I drop everything—combs and clips in the salon, even my phone, which I now use a strap to hold. I’ve had to learn to leave things on the floor and pick them up when I can, slow down, and really think about how my body is going to react.

Managing fatigue means listening to my body. I’ve learned that resting is not laziness. When I get tired between clients, I sit in the back, drink some water, or do a short meditation just to reset. Little things like folding towels or cleaning up have to be paced out. If I can wait a few minutes, or ask someone for help, I know I’ll be better for my clients and my family.

Mood changes and anxiety are also part of my journey. I have my highs and lows, but MS has made it harder to manage. I cry more now. Mental health is challenging when you’re living in a body that writes its own rules. My husband doesn’t live in a body affected by MS, and sometimes it can be hard to explain to him. Couples therapy has been a big part of our lives. It’s important for us to have a therapist who understands what it’s like when one person is chronically ill and the other isn’t.

I’ve tried to make healthier choices too, including changes to my diet and practicing meditation. Those habits have helped both my physical and mental health. My kids are my grounding force. On tough days, they bring me back to reality. When I think about what keeps me going, all I see are their faces. They make me feel whole when everything else feels hard.

In 2025, I had my first big relapse, and it sent me into the deepest depression I’ve ever experienced. I had to step away from my business because it was too much. I’m proud I made it through that time. I found support at a great hair studio in Calgary, where I now work behind the chair with people who understand what I need. I’ve also started working toward becoming an educator, which is important to me because I know my time behind the chair may not last forever.

My relapse changed everything. I realized I needed a way to keep my career going while also sharing my story. Last summer, I started The Chronic Stylist, a platform where I share tips, tricks, and advice for hairstylists and clients living with chronic illness. I wanted to create a space for people with MS who struggle on days when their arms don’t work or they’re too tired to do their hair. I also wanted stylists with a chronic illness to feel seen and supported. Imposter syndrome creeped in and I wondered, ‘who’s going to want to hear my story?’ But a close friend encouraged me to start sharing online and reminded me that no one in the beauty industry was really advocating for people with MS. Because of her, I decided to put my face out there and tell my story.

The Chronic Stylist blends chronic illness with beauty and confidence. I want people to know there are ways to adapt and still get the same results, just in easier ways. I also want people to know that it’s okay to not be okay. Bad days are part of this disease. Sometimes surviving is enough. I’ve learned that slowing down is not failure—it’s necessary. 

Living with MS has taught me to slow down, to listen to my body, and to be patient with myself. For anyone newly diagnosed, I want you to know it’s okay to cry, and it’s okay to be mad at your diagnosis. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Bad days are part of moving forward, and surviving is enough. Keep advocating for yourself and find the people who support you. 

The Chronic Stylist is my way of sharing what I’ve learned and helping others feel less alone. Adjustments can be made. Life can still be lived fully. Even on hard days, there is room for creativity, passion, and growth.”