Carolyn Kaufman was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009 while she was a Lesley student, and it consumed her. She was racked with constant pain from inflammation as the disease attacked her central nervous system and compromised her immune system.
Carolyn before and after
She returned home to Miami where her symptoms only got worse. Before diagnosis, Carolyn was already struggling with obesity, but her diagnosis propelled her into a depression that made her weight soar to 357 pounds. She felt trapped by the mental, physical, and emotional weight of her situation.
This is when her studies as a holistic psychology major at Lesley provided guidance, prompting her to explore alternative healing practices that addressed both psychological and physical factors to help her manage the disease. Holistic psychology regards health as more than the absence of disease. It’s seen as cultivating beliefs and behaviors that promote wellness.
"I turned to an integrative plan that involved both Eastern and Western medicine. I believe in going to regular doctor visits, scans, and checking my blood work alongside meditation, yoga, and healthy eating," says Carolyn. "My holistic psychology background taught me that there are options outside of medication, so when I started needing a cane, I began to search for alternative paths of treatment. I still take a disease modifying medication, but I use food, exercise, supplements, and stress management to avoid other symptom management medications."
After some trial and error (and a lot of patience), Carolyn reports that she is now living nearly symptom free. Now she urges others to take a similar approach, and to go out and find what works for them, emphasizing that "...You have to really get to know your mind and body. Once you get to know yourself, you'll be able to recognize the signs when something isn't working.