Finding purpose with MS – that’s what Patti Bevilacqua shares in this honest and inspiring interview.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 22, she had to let go of the life she had planned and rebuild it on her own terms. Instead of pushing through, she chose a path shaped by self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful choices.
Today, Patti helps others navigate invisible challenges and create a life that feels aligned and purposeful.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Default. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationTable of Contents
Introduction & Personal Background
Please introduce yourself briefly – who are you and what do you do today?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I’m Patti Bevilacqua, PhD. I’m a strategic speaker focused on mindset, resilience, and workplace inclusion. I help people and organizations see differently when life, health, or circumstance disrupts what they expected their path to look like. My work is grounded in lived experience, not theory. I speak about identity shifts, invisible challenges, and how people can build meaningful lives and careers without needing to “push through” or pretend everything is fine.
You describe yourself as a polymath. What does being a polymath mean to you personally?
Patti Bevilacqua:
For me, being a polymath means I don’t live in a single lane. My life has crossed education, movement, research, advocacy, speaking, and lived experience with disability. I naturally connect ideas across disciplines and translate complex experiences into language people can understand and apply. It’s not about doing everything. It’s about seeing patterns, asking better questions, and holding multiple perspectives at once.
Living with a Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis
When were you diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and what led to the diagnosis?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I was diagnosed in March 1990, before the end of my first year in the only job I ever wanted — teaching high school physical education. I was 22 years old.
In January 1990, I woke up with double vision in my right eye. I went to my doctor after school the same day. She examined me and said, “I can see that your optic nerve is inflamed. I’m going to refer you to an ophthalmologist so we can find out more.” That set everything in motion.
Did you experience symptoms before the diagnosis that were already related to MS?
Patti Bevilacqua:
No. The double vision in my right eye was the only symptom I had before my diagnosis.
How did you process the diagnosis, and how was it for your loved ones?
Patti Bevilacqua:
The diagnosis wasn’t just medical. It was existential. I had to grieve not only my health, but my identity, my pace, and the future I assumed I’d have.
For my loved ones, it brought worry and uncertainty. My parents believed they had somehow caused this — my mom wondered if something during pregnancy was to blame. It was especially hard on my family during the five years following my diagnosis because they knew how deeply I wanted the career I had worked so hard to achieve.
Were you advised early on to start disease-modifying therapies? How did you make your decision?
Patti Bevilacqua:
No. At the time, my symptoms were not life-changing. I was working, exercising, socializing, and enjoying life.
Six years after my diagnosis, my neurologist at the MS Clinic talked to me about starting Beta Seron, an injectable therapy. I chose not to use it. I had researched the treatment and felt the side effects were worse than the symptoms I was experiencing. Instead, I chose to manage my health through supplements, diet, and exercise.
To this day, I have not used medications or traditional disease-modifying therapies. I strongly believe in alternative approaches such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and targeted vitamins.
Have you had a change in therapy and if so, for what reason?
Patti Bevilacqua:
No. Twelve years ago, I learned about a supplement program based on individual DNA. I provided a mouth swab, and a personalized capsule containing the vitamins and minerals my body specifically needs was created. I continue to use that today, and I feel amazing.
Note from Nele: The general recommendation of MS-Specialists is to start early on with a high efficacy treatment to have a better long outcome. So far (May 2026) it is easier to find out people who have a high chance of a very active MS, than the ones who will have a rather „mild disease course“. Better biomarkers are needed to be able to treat patients specific to their needs.
Turning Points: Work, Symptoms & Life Choices
Which symptoms led you to leave your job as a physical education teacher?
Patti Bevilacqua:
This transition unfolded over time and involved listening closely to my body and my capacity. It wasn’t one symptom. It was recognizing that continuing in the role I loved required more than my nervous system could consistently give.
What did you do in the period immediately after leaving that job?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I returned to university to pursue a PhD in Teacher Development. My goal was to work at a Teachers College and support students who wanted to teach physical education in K-12 schools.
You later completed a PhD in Teacher Development. Which symptoms became a challenge at that time?
Patti Bevilacqua:
It wasn’t MS symptoms that prevented me from securing a permanent position at a college or university. I interviewed at many institutions across Canada and the United States. In 2004–2005, I taught for one year at Ithaca College in New York State. I did my job well and never missed a day of work because of MS. I did not receive a continuing position at Ithaca College because I was unable to teach statistics in the graduate program.
While I can’t say with certainty why I wasn’t hired elsewhere, I’m aware that my MS diagnosis was known. In academic hiring, the unpredictability of a chronic illness can be viewed as a risk, particularly when long-term disability coverage is involved. That uncertainty is a reality many people with MS face when pursuing permanent faculty positions.
How did you adapt your lifestyle after your MS diagnosis?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I learned to listen to my body and make decisions based on what truly mattered. I stopped comparing myself to others and focused on what was sustainable for me — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The Years in between & becoming an Advocate
What did you do during the ten years between leaving teaching and becoming an advocate?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I lived my life quietly while learning how to navigate MS in the real world. Those years shaped my understanding of identity, resilience, and what it means to live well with an invisible condition.
What motivated you to become a public voice?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I realized how many people were struggling silently. I wanted to give language to experiences that are often minimized or misunderstood, especially in professional and educational spaces.
You have already been a guest on more than 20 podcasts. What is your goal in doing so?
Patti Bevilacqua:
My goal is to normalize invisible challenges and help people feel less alone. I want listeners to hear themselves in the conversation and walk away feeling steadier, not fixed.
What can people expect if they subscribe to your newsletter?
Patti Bevilacqua:
Thoughtful reflections, mindset shifts, and honest perspective for anyone living beyond what’s visible. It’s grounded, real, and pressure-free.
Mindset, Mission & Meaning
You often say: “MS doesn’t define ME.” What is the deeper meaning behind that statement for you?
Patti Bevilacqua:
MS is part of my life, but it is not my identity. It informs my choices, but it does not determine my worth, my intelligence, or my contribution. MS doesn’t define ME.
How do you look at your future today – both professionally and personally?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I’m optimistic and intentional. I focus on meaningful work, aligned commitments, and staying present in my body and my life.
What was your lowest point living with MS, and how did you find your way out of it?
Patti Bevilacqua:
The lowest point was realizing that the life I imagined might not unfold the way I planned. The way forward came when I stopped fighting that truth and started building something real instead.
How are you doing with your MS right now?
Patti Bevilacqua:
I feel great. I’m optimistic and stubborn. I never say, “I can’t.” I say, “I can’t right now.”
I still have challenges, but I listen to my body and make decisions based on what matters most — priorities, appointments, commitments, and letting go of comparison.
Farewell
What development in the field of MS do you hope to see in the next five years?
Patti Bevilacqua:
More attention to quality of life, individualized care, and respect for patient choice.
What would you like to leave our listeners with as a final message?
Patti Bevilacqua:
You don’t have to be fixed to live a meaningful life.
How and where can interested people find you online?
- https://patti-bevilacqua.com
- pattibevilacqua.substack.com
- linkedin.com/in/patti-bevilacqua
- instagram.com/fearlesswithms
See you soon and try to make the best out of your life,
Nele
For more information and positive thoughts, subscribe to my newsletter for free.
Click here for an overview of all podcast episodes published so far.
And at many more places.
* This text contains affiliate links. This means that I get a small compensation if you buy the product recommended by me through the link. For you nothing changes in the price of the product. And it helps me to pay for the blog and to write new posts.
