Stories to Inspire: A Blessing in Disguise
By Aranzazu “Zazu” M. Calzado
Nearly a decade ago I first realized something wasn’t quite right with my left leg. At first, I blamed long walks. I was carrying extra weight back then, so I convinced myself my knees were simply protesting. It seemed like the most logical explanation.
Life went on, and so did I. Little by little, strange symptoms appeared. My torso became numb. My body would suddenly vibrate for no apparent reason. My left leg started having electric-like spasms. I even remember laughing with my mother about the vibrations because they seemed so bizarre.
Of course, I did what almost everyone does: I searched online and every result seemed to point to multiple sclerosis. I immediately dismissed the idea. I thought I was probably overthinking things.
My doctor referred me to a neurologist, who ordered an MRI of my lumbar spine. The results showed no lesions, and I was told my symptoms were likely related to my weight and the strain on my knees.
So, I followed the advice. I lost 120 pounds. I always joke that I finally got rid of the “twin” I’d been carrying around for years. I expected everything to improve. Instead, my symptoms continued to progress.
A few years later, my left leg began dragging. My walk became slower and uneven. Looking back, it was obvious something wasn’t right, but I was still functioning. I could walk long distances, climb stairs, work full-time, travel, and live independently. So, I kept pushing forward.
Then, in 2021, I sought another opinion. It felt as though every possible test was ordered – MRIs, blood work, procedures. By then, I felt like a human pincushion.
Finally, on December 15, 2021, I heard the words that changed my life: “You have multiple sclerosis.”
And not just multiple sclerosis, but primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. I remember staring at my neurologist, thinking, “Not me. Are you sure?”
But there it was and just a few days before Christmas. I often joke that while everyone else received presents that year, I got MS instead of charcoal. At the time, it felt like the cruelest Christmas gift imaginable.
But with time, something unexpected happened. That diagnosis slowly transformed from what I believed was life’s greatest curse into one of its greatest blessings. MS forced me to slow down.
It taught me to notice the little moments I used to rush past. It showed me that we spend so much energy worrying about things that will never matter while overlooking the things that truly do.
is featured in MSAA’s Art Showcase.
One of the things that truly matters to me is my love of photography, and I submitted three of my works, along with my bio, to this year’s MSAA Art Showcase. In my bio, I note, “My journey with photography began in childhood, inspired by the vivid colors, traditions, and everyday moments of my homeland [Spain]. From an early age, my camera became a way to observe, understand, and connect with the world around me.”
I’ve learned that life becomes lighter when we stop measuring ourselves by what we’ve lost and start celebrating what remains. MS has made me stronger than I ever imagined. It has made me more grateful, more compassionate, more patient, and more present.
Most importantly, it revealed something I may never have fully appreciated otherwise – the incredible people surrounding me. My family and friends didn’t disappear when life became difficult. On the contrary, they stepped closer.
They became my strength when I felt weak, my hope when I felt discouraged, and my light during some of my darkest days. Whenever I begin to lose confidence, they gently remind me that I am capable of far more than I believe. Their love has carried me through countless difficult moments.
Nearly five years after my diagnosis, I still have hard days. I still wish I could run, hike without thinking about every step, or simply walk without wondering whether my leg will cooperate. But I no longer ask, “Why me?” Instead, I ask, “What is this teaching me today?”
And every day, the answer is the same… Slow down… Love deeper… Appreciate more… And find joy.
It also deepened my faith, giving me the strength to face each new day with hope, courage, and peace. Looking back now, I realize that although multiple sclerosis changed my body, it also transformed my heart. The Christmas of 2021 brought me a diagnosis I never wanted. But it also gave me a new way of seeing life.
Sometimes the greatest blessings don’t arrive wrapped in beautiful paper. Sometimes they arrive disguised as the very thing we would never have chosen for ourselves.
For me, the Christmas I received MS became the Christmas I discovered gratitude, resilience, stronger faith, and a deeper appreciation for life. And that is a gift no disease can ever take away.