• 15 Feb, 2025
• Ardra Shephard

From Diagnosis to Empowerment & Resilience: Ardra Shephard’s Inspiring Journey of Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Challenging Stigma, and Finding Joy

Magazica: Welcome to today’s episode of Magazica. We are thrilled to have a truly remarkable guest with us, Ardra Shephard.

Ardra is a writer, consultant, podcaster, and speaker, whose award-winning blog “Tripping on Air” has earned international acclaim. With a powerful voice in the chronic illness community, she has been featured in major outlets like In Style, and WebMD.

Ardra is also the creator and host of AMI-TV’s “Fashion Dis,” a groundbreaking lifestyle series that celebrates fashion and makeover transformations for people with disabilities. But her work doesn’t stop there. She is also a regular columnist for Magazine and is preparing to release her memoir (Douglas & McIntyre) “Fallosophy: My Trip Through Life with MS” in March 2025. Very exciting times for Ardra.

Hi, Ardra, welcome to Magazica.

Ardra Shephard: Thank you so much for having me. I am excited to be here.

Magazica: Let’s start with your early years. In your blog and various articles, you’ve mentioned that you were first diagnosed with MS at the age of 23. How did that diagnosis change your perspective on life at such a young age?

Ardra Shephard: Everything changed. It was a defining “before and after” moment for me. At 23, you think everything is possible and you don’t know how your life will unfold. That diagnosis changed everything in ways I anticipated and in ways I didn’t. It was a traumatic time.

Magazica: What was your initial reaction upon learning about your condition? Were there any misconceptions or fears that stand out in hindsight?

Ardra Shephard: I didn’t know anything about MS, so it seemed like the worst possible thing that could happen. My presenting symptom was vision loss; I kind of went blind overnight and also had difficulty walking. Despite such serious symptoms, I didn’t think something was seriously wrong—I thought I might need some antibiotics. I was shocked by such a serious diagnosis. It affected me at that time in my life. But over the 20-plus years since that diagnosis, I’ve learned so much. A difficult life doesn’t have to be a joyless life. That was a surprise after getting an MS diagnosis at a young age.

Magazica: I truly understand. When my son was first diagnosed with ASD, we had no idea what we were dealing with. We thought our best days were behind us. Can you share how the societal stigma impacted your personal and professional life in the early years of your MS journey?

Ardra Shephard: Stigma was something I was unprepared for. I naively didn’t expect people would treat me differently, but I learned quickly that they did. It was another shock and insult to an already difficult situation. I had a lot of support from coworkers, family, and friends, but I also had experiences filled with stigma and misconceptions. Being left out or passed over made me more closed off and protective of personal information. Now, more than 20 years later, I have a very public presence as someone living openly with MS. It’s been a long journey to claim my narrative and tell my own story. There were years when I was secretive about my condition because it had cost me some things. I realize now that the only way to crush that stigma is to be open about it.

Magazica: In your blog and writings, you’ve mentioned being secretive about medications and the processes you’re going through. How did you eventually find the confidence to embrace your condition publicly and start your popular blog “Tripping on Air”? What sparked that change?

Ardra Shephard: I think it was. You know, we haven’t talked about what multiple sclerosis is. It’s very common in Canada and is the most disabling disease of young people. Typically, people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, although it can happen earlier or later. It’s a neurological condition, and I like to say that what can go wrong might go wrong. It can affect vision, mobility, sensory perception, pain, and cognition it looks different in everyone, with no two cases being the same. However, many symptoms overlap, fatigue being a common one. It’s also known as an invisible illness or a non-apparent illness. For a long time, I was passing as non-disabled because I could hide my symptoms. But about 10 years ago, my symptoms became more apparent—my foot would drag, people would ask what was wrong with my leg, and eventually, I needed a cane and now use a walker.

Ardra Shephard: The blog started when my illness was becoming less invisible, and I was getting asked questions that I didn’t like. It wasn’t just from people I knew but also strangers. Every time I got out of an Uber, people would ask, “What happened to you?” or “What’s wrong with you?” Being asked what’s wrong with you by someone who doesn’t know you is incredibly demoralizing. To think that someone’s first impression of you is that something’s wrong is tough. Starting the blog was a way of asserting how I saw myself—not as damaged goods, but as someone living with a condition that I adapt and adjust to. I needed to assert my own narrative and show that I have a great life.

Magazica: Yeah, I was reading one of your interviews where you mentioned being denied the restroom at a Tim Hortons.

Ardra Shephard: Yes, that happened.

Magazica: So you started “Tripping on Air” to share your journey. That must have taken a lot of courage.

Ardra Shephard: Thank you. One of my first posts in 2015 was titled “Honey, I Peed the Bed,” where I talked about my experience with bladder incontinence—a very personal and taboo subject. I wanted to write what I needed to read when I was diagnosed with MS. I aimed to create honest content that wasn’t already out there, to help others and myself feel less lonely. Knowing that someone else is going through the same thing is profoundly comforting.

Magazica: Yeah, for sure. One of the lines that popped into my mind while listening to you is that self-respect isn’t always about respecting yourself; sometimes it’s also about understanding your worth along with all your limitations.

Ardra Shephard: Yeah, I think the way we look at illness culturally in North America is as something to overcome. We don’t talk enough about adapting to it. We often see adapting and accepting as failure and use warrior language to describe fighting our illness. But who am I fighting—myself? I don’t want to be in conflict.

Magazica: Probably not.

Ardra Shephard: Right. One of the bravest and strongest things we can do is adapt and figure out how to live with our condition. It’s practical. Otherwise, this fighter mentality can set us up for resisting tools like mobility aids, which can lead to falls and injuries. Culturally, we’ve assigned value to resistance, but it’s not healthy. It hasn’t been healthy for me.

Magazica: It’s not always about having a fight or flight response.

Ardra Shephard: Exactly. I think not fighting doesn’t mean you don’t do things you can control to have the best possible outcome. I can do my physio, take my medication, and set myself up for success without framing it as a battle.

Magazica: Understandable, easily understandable. Now, let’s talk about your upcoming memoir, It’s a blend of your personal stories and reflections. What inspired you to write it, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?

Ardra Shephard: I’m so excited about this book. “Fallosophy” is very much in the style of my blog. The blog starts about 10 years ago, while the book begins with my diagnosis, filling in a lot of blanks. It’s funny and relatable, even if you don’t have MS. We all go through stuff, and it’s about adapting and coping.

Magazica: It’s such an evocative play on words. Can you explain the deeper meaning of Fallosophy?

Ardra Shephard: Sure. It relates to “Tripping on Air,” which describes my life with MS and my gait issues that make me fall sometimes for no reason. “Fallosophy” is a collection of my worldview and philosophies, informed by literal and figurative falls.

Magazica: I’m a big fan of stoic philosophy—Marcus Aurelius, Seneca. “Meditations” is almost always on my bedside table. When I first heard your book’s name, I thought, “Wow, what a beautiful name.”

Ardra Shephard: Thank you!

Magazica: Let’s dive into some core essences of your blog and your upcoming book, “Fallosophy.” Let’s talk about overcoming challenges.

Magazica: How do you self-catheterize, and how did you build that resilience? What is your mechanism?

Ardra Shephard: I don’t think of myself as overcoming anything; it’s about adapting and adjusting. Many people in the MS community and even the medical community might think that having to self-catheterize to empty my bladder sounds horrifying and terrible, and that’s certainly what I thought before it was introduced to me. But I learned quickly that it was a solution to a massive problem. It doesn’t hurt and doesn’t need to be stigmatized. It’s a tool that helps me get on with my life. It was freeing. This is similar to the language we use around wheelchair use—people say “confined to a wheelchair” when, in reality, a wheelchair is a tool that helps you get around, just like eyeglasses help you see. You’re not confined to seeing things through lenses if that makes sense.

Magazica: Makes sense. Personally, what do you do in your day-to-day life? Is there a role for journaling or maintaining a diary in shaping this book?

Ardra Shephard: Yes, I’ve always kept a diary, and you can see a lot of them behind me. Keeping a diary has been therapeutic for me. It helps me understand myself and my life, remember things, and relive good experiences like traveling. Journaling has been key to knowing myself, and I’m thankful to my younger self for doing it. The book Fallosophy spans 20 years and hearing my 23-year-old voice helps me write authentically. It’s amazing how our memories warp and change. Seeing my younger self in my diary helped me write in that voice.

Magazica: And you can also see your evolution over the years.

Ardra Shephard: Absolutely. Getting through tough times and reminding yourself that you did it gives you the courage to face the next challenge. All those experiences accumulate, and you start to see the pattern—if I survived this, I can survive what’s coming next.

Magazica: What’s coming next? Absolutely. Now, how much do you think the support system—social or specifically family—plays a role in overcoming challenges? You’ve talked about your mother before. How does her support and the words of your family impact you?

Ardra Shephard: I almost feel like this book is a love letter to everyone in my life who has supported me—my parents, my husband, my best friends, even my dog. MS can be a very lonely disease, and as important as any pharmaceutical therapy or medication is, cultivating relationships is crucial. Having a support system—a team—is everything. This includes other people with MS and my family, friends, and dogs. It’s critical to getting through life in general.

Magazica: Readers already know you have a busy life, both personally and professionally. How do you balance the two?

Ardra Shephard: I don’t, you know. I think, who does? Many days, I don’t feel that busy. I have to sleep and rest when I need to. Externally, it can seem like I have a busy public life, but it’s hard to see how much downtime I need in a day. I have to be protective of that time. Most people with MS don’t have as many available hours in the day. We make the most of the time we have, but it’s important to give myself grace when I need a day to stay in my pajamas and read a book.

Magazica: The reason I’m asking is that we sometimes work with corporate clients who say they don’t have any time. As someone with an HR background, I tell them they need productive time as well as downtime for themselves.

Ardra Shephard: A hundred percent. We make time for what’s important to us. It can be hard for people who work too much and don’t spend enough time with friends, family, or hobbies. I liked Martin Short’s memoir because he broke his life into categories and scored himself. If work isn’t going great, can I be better at friendship or exercise? When I have a lot of work, other things suffer, like not doing enough physio or eating well. I have to recognize those choices because my work feels valuable to me, and I’m lucky to have work I love.

Magazica: Oh, yeah.

Ardra Shephard: There’s often a cost. There’s not enough energy in an MS body—or any human body—to get everything done. We have to make choices, and those choices can be different every day.

Magazica: One thing a business professor used to say in our entrepreneurship class at U of T, “How do you build a successful business?” We expected answers like having a revolutionary product or new technology, but he said, “You will make money when you solve people’s problems.”

Ardra Shephard: Interesting, because culturally, we measure success based on money. We don’t think enough about being successful by helping others. A successful life isn’t just about what we gain but also what we give back.

Magazica: And that’s what you’re doing through your blog, your book, your speeches, and “Fashion Dis.”

Ardra Shephard: Thank you. I feel a little awkward accepting that compliment because this work is so healing for me. It doesn’t feel like giving back as much as it feels like it’s helping me figure things out and come to terms with it.

Magazica: But your courage and resilience are inspiring for so many people and families.

Ardra Shephard: Thank you. That’s kind of you.

Magazica: It’s true. You’ve been journaling, speaking, and working with communities for almost 15 to 18 years now. What changes have you noticed in people’s understanding of chronic illness, specifically MS, over the past 20 years?

Ardra Shephard: The most change I’ve noticed has been in the last five years. Social media has changed who tells stories and who the gatekeepers are. I’ve noticed a difference in communication between doctors and pharmaceutical companies, with more involvement of patients in their care. When I started posting pictures of myself with mobility aids on social media, I was hashtagging them “babes with mobility aids” because I was looking for role models. Now, it’s all over social media, normalizing the experience. Social media often gets a bad rap, but it has been positive in giving voice to and normalizing these experiences.

Magazica: I read somewhere that you work with pharmaceutical companies as an advisor. Is that correct?

Ardra Shephard: Yes, I’ve consulted with several pharmaceutical companies on patient advisory boards. It feels great to have a voice in these rooms. These powerful organizations can make immediate improvements in the lives of people with MS and other chronic illnesses. It’s about inclusion, getting rid of stigma, and effective messaging.

Magazica: That’s great to know. I checked the statistics before this interview, and Canada has the highest per capita incidence of MS. How does that shape awareness and resources for people with MS?

Ardra Shephard: I’m fortunate to be a member of the BARLO MS Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, which has almost 11,000 patients. It’s a world-leading facility with a top-notch team of research scientists on the cutting edge of MS research. The work they’re doing will impact the MS community globally. Toronto’s diverse population provides valuable research data, which is a strength of the center.

Magazica: That’s enlightening. I had no idea such a significant institution was in Toronto. We’d be honored to highlight their work for the community. We bring attention to the services provided by the Canadian medical community for citizens, especially those working silently.

Ardra Shephard: I’ll give you some names after the interview. I’m sure they would be delighted to come on and share their work.

Magazica: We would be honored. And now, after 20 years of writing, your memoirs, and everything, if anyone asked you, in your silent moments, deep down in the core of your resilience, what are the life lessons you want to give to others?

Ardra Shephard: I think it’s joy. A difficult life doesn’t have to be a joyless life. Seek out joyful experiences and don’t deny them to yourself. We have to make a better world for ourselves, each other, and our children. It’s hard to sum up into a lesson, but I think joy is really important and available to all of us. Give people the benefit of the doubt because everyone is going through something, whether you know what it is or not.

Magazica: Let’s talk briefly about the future activities you’re planning. How do you see the future of “Tripping on Air”?

Ardra Shephard: Oh, gosh! On the heels of writing a book, it’s like, “What do I write next?” I don’t know. There’s room to see stories of disabled bodies evolve in television and movies. We’re heading in that direction, and I’d love to be part of more authentic storytelling where people with disabilities are in the room and part of the conversations. For this year, I’m focused on talking about the book and meeting people. When I started the blog “Tripping on Air,” I didn’t know how it would resonate. I focused on telling the truth and making something that feels quality, good, and real. The opportunities will come, and that’s how I feel now.

Magazica: And I’m sure all of these will inspire people a lot. So, after “Fallosophy” what’s next?

Ardra Shephard: I don’t know. I think that’s exciting and a little bit scary. I’m not rushing to find out what that is. One thing I’ve learned from having MS is that there have been times when I didn’t think I had a next chapter, and then I was surprised to discover that I did. So, we’ll see what happens next. I don’t know.

Magazica: Give yourself some time, and after dealing with the publication, talk about the book to larger audiences as we are now. You’re talking to the readers of Magazica, so let’s talk about it and the experiences you have. I’m sure there will be many, many books ahead.

Ardra Shephard: Oh, gosh, thank you. I think that’s probably the angst of any writer, right? What’s next?

Magazica: That is the blog, that is the book. As a person, what’s next for Ardra Shephard? What exciting plans or projects do you see on the horizon?

Ardra Shephard: I love to travel, so I’m excited to travel and talk about the book. One of my favorite roles in life is as an aunt. I have nieces and nephews aged 6 to 21, and spending time with them during these precious years is a goal of mine.

Magazica: They are lucky to have you as a role model.

Ardra Shephard: Thank you. It’s cool to see these kids grow up with me in their life as someone who’s disabled. They’re not weird about it. It’s cool to feel that and be an example for them. I’m encouraged by the next generation growing up with fewer ableist ideas.

Magazica: Children are more accepting, no?

Ardra Shephard: Yeah, I think so. Then we mess them up with all our stories.

Magazica: True. They come into this world with such pristine, good hearts, and we adulterate them.

Ardra Shephard: One of my favorite stories about my nephew: I think he was about 10, and I could hear him in the next room talking to my husband. He said, “Uncle Kari, what’s it like to be married to someone…?” And I thought, here we go. But what he said was, “What’s it like to be married to someone who’s famous?” I was just amazed. I thought he was going to say “disabled,” but he didn’t. It was about the admiration of his aunt. That’s what he saw—that I’m doing cool stuff.

Magazica: The focus was on your accomplishments and activities, not on your disability.

Ardra Shephard: Yes, on the cool stuff. Not my weird walk. In their generation, it’s all about the cool stuff.

Magazica: Now they’ll see that you’re on YouTube, on some magazine’s channel.

Ardra Shephard: That’s right.

Magazica: Thank you very much. I know it’s a busy time for you. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts. I’m enriched, and I think our readers will be too. Thank you very much.

Ardra Shephard: You’re very generous. Thank you so much. It was a real pleasure to chat with you.

Magazica: Thank you for your inspiring presence.