Local Woman Shares Story of Strength After Battling MS and Epilepsy

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard

For Jamie McTaggart, life changed dramatically at just 25 years old when unexplained numbness in her left leg and foot led to a diagnosis which would shape her future: multiple sclerosis (MS).

“I couldn’t understand why it was happening,” Ms. McTaggart recalls. “It was scary, especially because my grandmother had MS and her condition worsened very quickly. I was terrified of what my future might look like.”

Diagnosed in 2009, Ms. McTaggart began navigating the uncertainty of a chronic illness at a young age. But years later, her journey took another unexpected turn. She developed epilepsy, a complication she didn’t initially know could be linked to MS.

“I started having seizures, and it was overwhelming,” she said. “It took time to learn the lesions from my MS were actually causing them.”

The impact on her daily life was profound. Ms. McTaggart lost her driver’s licence, a change which stripped away her independence and made even routine tasks difficult. But the most painful consequence, she says, was time spent away from her daughter.

“She’s my baby,” Ms. McTaggart said. “Not being with her every day is something I never could have imagined. That was the hardest part of all.”

Despite these challenges, Ms. McTaggart has worked to adapt. While her MS is now considered stable, she continues to live with ongoing symptoms, including weakness and numbness in her left leg, memory difficulties, and persistent fatigue.

“Sitting too long is hard, so I’m always moving,” she explained. “I’ve had to learn how to listen to my body and build routines which help me get through each day.”

A major turning point came in early 2025, when Ms. McTaggart underwent surgery to remove the lesions responsible for her seizures. The results have been life-changing.

“I feel like a completely different person,” she said. “I’m happier, more hopeful, and I’m slowly getting my independence back.”

Now, she is working toward regaining her driver’s licence, a milestone which represents more than mobility.

“It means I’ll be able to see my daughter more and just do everyday things on my own again,” she said.

Through it all, Ms. McTaggart says living with MS has taught her resilience and patience. While some days remain difficult, her outlook is firmly focused on progress and hope.

“I keep moving forward,” she said. “And I’m sharing my story so others living with MS, especially those dealing with seizures, know they’re not alone.”

Her message is simple but powerful: even in the face of chronic illness and unexpected setbacks, strength can be found, and hope can return.