A 24-year-old man who needed to go to the bathroom at least 20 times a day, thinking he had cancer, was instead diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – and he is now using his TikTok to educate more than 12,000 followers. Antonio Perez, 24, from Dearborn, Michigan, initially thought he had urine cancer when he desperately needed the toilet more than 20 times a day, but when he also exhibited extreme fatigue alongside other symptoms, doctors quickly sent him for an MRI in December 2021.
By January 2022, Antonio was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an auto immune condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, but despite his shock at being diagnosed with the lifelong condition, and the impact it has had on his ability to draw and dance, Antonio refused to be disheartened, bravely sharing his story on TikTok to raise awareness about MS. Accruing more than 12,000 followers, Antonio has now teamed up with BelongMS, an app that that supports MS patients, their families and caregivers, to become a mentor to not only help people but also educate caregivers on what it means to have MS.
“People think it’s contagious,” said Antonio, who lives with his partner Kris, 38. They tell me to get away from their kids because they think they can catch it. It is annoying, but the more awareness I can spread the better.”
