Sonja Vranic

Age: 22
Country: Serbia
(studying in Denmark)
Occupation: Student
Year of diagnosis: 2005

My name is Sonja and I am 22 years old. I would like to share my story of my life with MS.



I started having various tests in early December 2004 following Lhermitte's Sign, also known as ‘Barber’s Chair phenomenon’ (the electric shock-like sensations that extend down the spine and all the way to the limbs after flexing the neck), and subsequent optic neuritis in my right eye. The diagnosis came about a month and a half later – it was multiple sclerosis. Up to that day, I didn’t know what MS was.

The big eye-opener came when I was told that I had to control the disease by administering Interferon beta-1a intramuscularly once a week. Not only was I told that there is currently no cure for MS but also that I had to use needles in order to control it. I have always hated needles and so the idea of having to inject myself once a week was devastating. For a whole month, I amazingly injected myself with no help whatsoever – no problems! It was after this first month that I realised my MS would stay with me forever and that what was going on was actually very serious. As a result, I totally blocked and I could not inject myself. A month of administering the injections with the help of my nurse passed by and I was finally given a personal injector. What a relief! This was a great help and was so much easier for me.

I still don’t believe that I am quite over the acceptance phase, but I am definitely moving forward. I have to struggle with tiredness and balance, visual and walking problems among others. However, with the medicine, these are not really major issues in my daily life.

My goal at the moment is to finish university. I am in my final year and I am really looking forward to getting my degree (a BSc in Business, Chinese Language and Culture). This is one of the reasons why I have been to China twice. The first time was amazing because I finally got to experience the famous Chinese culture first-hand. The second time was even more special because I not only went to Xian (to see the famous terracotta soldiers), but also to Lhasa, Tibet, where I experienced high altitude at the nearby Namtso Lake, the highest saltwater lake in the world. There was a gap of exactly one year between these trips. I clearly noticed the difference in my health during my second trip as I experienced difficulties in walking the same distances I had covered during my first. Although this was yet another reminder of MS being present in my life I did not let it ruin my plans. I went through a couple of relapses prior to travelling which almost came back during my trip but I enjoyed the visits to the fullest and I am very thankful for having been able to complete them.

It is these little dreams and goals that keep me going. You should never give up your dreams because they are the source of happiness and joy in our dark moments. I have come to realise that I can still do a lot of things despite the fact that I have MS; having MS does not mean the end of life. In fact my MS has taught me to appreciate life more and to make the best out of it; it has strengthened me and made me more determined. I have become involved in promoting MS awareness and highlighting the lack of access to treatment and medicines in many parts of the world. In Serbia, the Multiple Sclerosis Registry in Belgrade was only formed in 1996. There are approximately 4,000 people with MS registered but I believe the actual number to be higher. It is said that over the past few years the number of people with MS has been on the increase – the current figure stands at 40 in every 100,000 inhabitants. What is striking is that in Serbia only 50 people with MS receive disease modifying treatments. Disease modifying treatments are out of reach for many of Serbia’s MS patients because they are too expensive and therefore doctors tend to prescribe more affordable medicines which are not so effective.

In February, I hosted my first MS Global Dinner Party event. I held a wine-tasting, cocktail party for ten of my student friends in the dorm where I live. Each guest brought a bottle of wine with their donation and I provided the food, including a chocolate cake for dessert. My guests were very interested in learning more about MS as many of them knew little about it. It was a great opportunity to increase awareness of MS, have fun and raise money at the same time. In addition, I have started a fundraising page for MS, www.justgiving.com/sonja_vranic, in the hope of raising awareness and money for further research and development of cures.

I hope that I have been able to encourage you with all the possibilities and opportunities available for people with MS.

Take care and enjoy life!

To view data about the epidemiology of MS and the availability of resources for people with MS in your country, region or globally visit Atlas of MS