HDIS' Jenny Laneman
Jenny Laneman has been with HDIS for 11 years, first as a Customer Care Representative and currently as a Supervisor. Many here don’t even know she’s 
been living with Multiple Sclerosis since 2001. Why? Because it was detected early, she’s been on medication to control the symptoms, and she’s a fighter.
She tells us about her experience of discovery first, “One afternoon in September 2001, I started to lose the feeling in my hands and feet. I was working at TGI Friday’s at the time, and I couldn’t even feel how hot the plates were that I was pulling out of the hot window. So I called a doctor to make an appointment. When I went to see the doctor he told me that he wanted to look at my brain. Because I lost the feeling in my hands and feet he was worried that my brain was swollen. Here I am 21 years old and the doctor tells me he thinks my brain is swollen!”
Jenny relayed to her mom what the doctor said, and it was her mom who asked “Jen, did you tell your doctor that your aunt has MS?” Jenny continued, “I will remember that question for the rest of my life, because it was in that moment I knew. I knew that life as I knew it was about to change drastically. I actually said to my mom ‘Mom, that’s it isn’t it? I have MS.’”
During the following eight weeks she saw a specialist and underwent several tests, including an MRI, CAT Scan, Nerve Conduction Study and a spinal tap. On her 22nd birthday, Jenny learned that she positively had MS. Lesions were found on her brain and spine. A treatment plan was developed and implemented immediately.
Her first step was to learn how to give herself an injection. “Every day I give myself an injection and that injection keeps me walking! At my last appointment I had 10 lesions on my brain and 7 on my spine – not bad for a person who’s had the disease for more than 12 years.”
Jenny is happy she found HDIS 11 years ago. During these years she’s had the support of her HDIS family, she met her husband, and had two children. Every year a group of HDIS employees has a team in the local MS Society Walk. Our team walks for Jenny and for a cure.
“I don’t think I would be as healthy as I am today without the disease modifying medications that I’ve been lucky enough to receive. MS changes your life, but you have to accept it, choose to fight, and use all of the tools your doctor offers to help your fight. A supportive family and workplace help too!" she says with a smile.