Stumble to Rise: My Life Surviving and Thriving with M.S.

After navigating the harsh unpredictability of multiple sclerosis for 23 years, Gina Whitlock Fletcher maintains a vibrant, forward-thinking perspective.

Through her hopeful and humorous outlook, she navigates the changes impacted by declining abilities and mobility. No matter how difficult the hurdles, Gina shares how she tapped into hidden strength and keeps going when some might give in. Through her experience, stories, wisdom, and humor, it’s obvious that she’s taken control of what she CAN control about her future. Her journey is full of inspiration for anyone dealing with adversity whether it be a diagnosis, job loss, divorce, addiction, etc. As Gina puts it, “MS just happens to be my challenge, and I refuse to be defined by it.Many describe Gina as a great “obstacle over-comer.” Stumble to Rise includes many facets of her life. When she and her husband attempted to start a family, they were met with another unexpected challenge -- unexplained infertility. Gina details the unlikely paths to parenthood that she and her husband pursued. As if that wasn’t enough, Gina was determined to achieve the top level of her organization. Alongside her changing abilities and infertility battles, she maintained her career path. She once again became an expert on reinventing herself to find alternative pathways to desired end results.When Gina’s pain level was at its worst, she was stuck in a “painful prison.” This time, the alternate path involved changing her relationship with food. She doesn’t profess a “one size fits all” nutrition plan or MS cure-all diet but instead clearly shares what she did to become the healthiest, more energetic, pain-free version of herself. As one reviewer put it, “This book should be required reading for anyone who’s struggling -- whether it’s MS or something else.” Gina’s story will leave you with the confidence that you can take control of what you CAN control about your situation even when you’re feeling overwhelmed. By getting up each time she falls, learning from her challenges, and taking charge of her health, she continues to thrive as a confident and joyful reinvented version of herself. Gina proves that we all must STUMBLE in order to ultimately RISE. Follow Gina and sign up for her inspiring blog at stumbletorise.com.