Leo Rodriguez
Leo Rodriguez has a gift for bringing people together through his work as a chef and business owner. Yet before becoming an MS Ambassador, he felt isolated in his small town of Rock Springs, Wyoming. “Where I live is a rural area, and for a long time, there was nowhere to go for help if you have MS and had questions,” says Rodriguez, who was diagnosed in 2007. “I have to drive to Montana to see my doctor.”Rodriguez later discovered he was not the only person living with MS in his town. “I didn’t even know that people I’d talked to for years had MS,” he says. Once he learned others were experiencing the same lack of information about MS, Rodriguez decided to act. He took the initiative and became an MS Ambassador. After completing his training and connecting with other Ambassadors, he began engaging with his community, spreading awareness and information about MS, and directing his friends and neighbors to the Society website.In talking to others living with MS in his town, Rodriguez discovered a common problem many were experiencing. “A lot of people in our community have MS cooling vests but were scared to wear them,” he recalls. “The vests are bulky, and people worried that the police might think they were bulletproof vests.” Understanding that local law enforcement might find the vests suspicious, Rodriguez went directly to the police department to talk to them about MS and how to support people living with it. “The officer I spoke with was very interested in knowing more about MS,” he says.Rodriguez clarifies the importance of using cooling vests, “I said, ‘If you see me stumbling down the street, I’m not drunk — give me a ride home,’” he says. “I explained that police officers should look for a medical bracelet on anyone they see in that situation. The officer informed all of his deputies about this, and I left MS information packets there for them as well.”Whether it’s setting up a booth to pass along MS information at a local crafts fair or inviting others living with MS out for coffee to talk over concerns, Rodriguez is always ready to spread knowledge and positivity. “I give people my card so they can call or text me if they have any questions,” he says. “The biggest thing I’ve learned is that everybody has a different experience. MS hits different parts of different brains. I knew before that MS is hard to diagnose, but I could never figure out why. For me, some days I feel good, some days you may see me using a cane.”All in all, understanding the diverse perspectives of other people living with MS in his community has given Leo a great sense of understanding and inclusion. “Being an Ambassador has been such an amazing journey for me,” he says.
