Awkward Bitch: My Life with MS is a comically raw and refreshingly honest memoir about chasing dreams, losing control, and finding yourself again.
Marlo Donato Parmelee was living life on her terms. A vivacious fashionista by day and a determined musician by night, she left New York for London, ready to make her mark on the music scene. Armed with fierce ambition and a killer sense of style, Marlo juggled band gigs, songwriting, and her luxury retail day job with practiced ease. But only a month into her new life abroad, everything changed. Out of nowhere, her eyesight began to fade—and that was just the beginning.
What follows is a roller coaster journey across London, Paris, Miami, and New York as Marlo searches for answers. At thirty-five, she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common disabling neurological disease affecting young adults. Suddenly, she finds herself navigating not just a new city, but an entirely new life—one filled with needles, specialists, and a body that doesn’t always cooperate.
Told with biting humor, fierce resilience, and unapologetic honesty, Awkward Bitch chronicles Marlo’s transformation from an image-conscious fashion maven to a woman embracing her imperfections—and her power. As she wrestles with self-image, independence, and identity, she reclaims her life and redefines success on her own terms.
This is not a story about giving up. It’s about showing up. For yourself. For your dreams. And for the life you didn’t see coming.
Awkward Bitch will resonate with anyone living with chronic illness, struggling to stay fabulous against the odds, or simply looking for an unflinching—and unexpectedly funny—story of resilience.
American author, Marlo Donato Parmelee was born 29 May, 1972, and is the youngest daughter of an Irish mother and Sicilian- American father. Marlo grew up on Long Island, NY and received a BA in classical Music from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, NYC. She moved to London in 2004. By day, Marlo is the UK support manager for luxury fashion brand, Donna Karan International. By night, she is a singer and song-writer. Her EP 'Marlo' can be purchased at amazon.com.
In 2004, at the age of 32, Marlo was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, the most common neurological disease amongst young adults today. From diagnosis her attitude has been 'forget MS, I still look hot!'She has worked with the MS Society and charities such as Attitude is Everything to raise awareness for MS and other disabling conditions. Marlo has a popular Youtube channel youtube.com/teslagirlm where she vlogs candidly with twisted humour about her battle with MS. Marlo regularly gives talks about her Multiple Sclerosis and has lectured in london, Switzerland and Denmark. She has been honoured by Donna Karan as a 'Woman who inspires,' for her positive work at raising awareness for MS.
Marlo has two daughters with her husband, English musician, Tim Love. They live happily in London. Her second book is due out in 2013. For updates, you can follow her on Twitter and Tumblr.
