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Turning Disability Into a Business Opportunity

By Linda Pepin-Ingram Sat, May 2nd, 2009

People

Take Two

Turning Disability Into a Business Opportunity
By Linda Pepin-Ingram

Life is full of surprises. It's also full of complications, lessons and opportunities, and I've learned that we must do the best with what we've got. Despite the difficulties of living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for the past 16 years, I can honestly say that I am grateful for some of the changes it has caused in my life. Before I had MS, I was demanding of myself and others, intolerant of those who could not follow my lead and who did not measure up to my standards. I am still demanding of myself but I have empathy for everyone I meet.

Those aren't the only changes that MS brought. When I was diagnosed, I was working as a technical editor in aeronautics. I was able-bodied, self-assured, confident. I loved my work, loved my boss, loved my pay and loved my husband, Ken. I lived the typical DINK life (double income, no kids). Over the years, Ken accepted off-site assignments, which took us to California for 13 months, France for eight months and Toronto for five months. It was during the Toronto assignment that my MS symptoms became more apparent. page link