RALEIGH, N.C. — Close to 18,000 people in North and South Carolina live with multiple sclerosis.

What You Need To Know

  • The National Multiple Sclerosis Society says nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the United States

  • Ten thousand new cases of MS are diagnosed in the country each year

  • Marydith Sanders of Raleigh says painting has helped her deal with the disease, which she has had for 22 years

The lifelong disease causes muscle weakness, vision changes, numbness and memory issues — making it difficult for people with MS to do everyday tasks.

Marydith Sanders of Raleigh says MS won’t defeat her.

Sanders brings masterpieces to life in her art room. She said she loves to paint scenery, from birds and bees to mountains and landscapes.

Marydith Sanders has done almost 1,000 paintings since she retired from teaching in 2009. (Spectrum News 1)

“When you paint with acrylic, it dries pretty fast, so you have to be careful,” she said.

Sanders has been in a wheelchair for several years. She can’t walk and says some days she is in a lot of pain or is too tired to get out of the bed.

Despite the challenges, Sanders said she wants others to know that MS is not a death sentence.

“I've had MS for 22 years. It's a long time,” she said.

After being diagnosed with MS in 2002, Sanders’ life changed forever. 

She said she stopped doing things she loved, like painting, until one day her husband gave her the motivation she needed, showing her an old painting she did in college.

“He said, 'It's beautiful, and I love it. And you should go back to painting,'” Sanders said.

Reflecting on her husband’s words, Sanders said she prayed about it. 

“I ask God, I said, 'what can I do God? I want to still be active',” she said.  

Her husband died a year later.

“My first painting was that painting on the wall up there, the Van Gogh, of those, sunflowers," Sanders said. "I kept going back to it and painting a little more and a little more. And then I felt at peace.” 

While there isn’t a cure for MS, Sanders said painting helps with upper body strength and mental health. 

She retired from teaching in 2009 and since then she’s completed nearly 1,000 paintings.

She said that despite having a lifelong disease, you can still enjoy life, and she encourages others with MS to find a hobby they like. 

Anyone interested in learning more about Sanders's artwork can reach her at marydiths@gmail.com.