Natalie Caez was no stranger to movement. A former photojournalist and social media content creator, she thrived on high-intensity workouts, solo travel, nights out dancing, walks with her dog Kiko, and the daily hustle of New York City life. When she began experiencing subtle symptoms in 2017—tingling, numbness, and electric shock sensations in her legs—she wasn’t too concerned. However, when she uncharacteristically fell while running in 2023, she could no longer ignore the signs.
“I averaged 15,000 steps a day, but for the first time in three years of running, I tripped over my feet while running a four-mile race,” explained Natalie. “I fell just feet before the finish line, and I knew something was wrong.”
Despite repeated visits to her primary care physician, she was told her symptoms stemmed from low vitamin D. It wasn’t until she sought out a rheumatologist that her path toward answers began. The rheumatologist, recognizing the complexity of Natalie’s symptoms, referred her to neurologist Joseph Petrsoric, MD, at Holy Name Medical Center.
“It wasn’t until they did a brain scan that they saw I had lesions—multiple white spots in the white matter,” Natalie explained. “That’s when everything started to make sense.”
After months of uncertainty, Natalie was officially diagnosed with MS in September 2024, just two months shy of her 41st birthday. The diagnosis marked a turning point—not only in her health journey but in her outlook on life. The initial months post-diagnosis under the care of Asya Wallach, MD, at the MS Center were physically and emotionally exhausting. Natalie relied on a cane for mobility and had to adjust her new lifestyle. But now, with a treatment plan that includes Ocrevus infusions and intensive physical therapy, she is seeing a major improvement.
“I can walk several blocks, and haven’t needed a cane since April,” she said. “I’ve made so much progress since my diagnosis, and I’m doing everything in my power to keep moving forward. It’s been a journey for me to get to a place of acceptance. I’m learning to have patience with myself, especially on challenging days.”
Natalie credits the MS Center’s team—especially the nurses in the infusion center—for their unwavering support. Her care is closely monitored by Dr. Wallach, who tracks her progress through strength and mobility assessments every three months. Adjusting to life with MS has meant reimagining her career and daily routines. Once immersed in the fast-paced world of digital media, Natalie now works in an office three days a week and remotely on Mondays and Fridays.
Despite the fatigue and physical limitations, Natalie remains committed to finding joy in new ways. She continues to share her MS journey on social media, a practice she finds both therapeutic and empowering.
“I’m not positive all the time, but I won’t give up on myself,” she explained. “There’s a grieving process—not being able to do the same things in the same way, grieving what you envisioned your life to be—but you can still live a full life. It’s just going to look differently.”
Through therapy, community support, and the compassionate care she receives at Holy Name, Natalie continues to move forward—one step, one story, one solo date at a time.
“All I can do is keep moving forward and adjusting to this new version of me,” she said. “The life before MS and the life after MS. It’s been a journey for me to get to a place of acceptance. I’m learning to have patience with myself, especially on challenging days. I celebrate my small wins.”
