At IMSMP, we are privileged to know many patients whose grit and determination inspire us every day — but Laura Cariello stands out in a special way. Laura was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, as a young woman on her college soccer team. She hid her diagnosis for nearly a decade, until a powerful relapse made her symptoms impossible to ignore. 

“My balance was interrupted; I couldn’t walk without holding onto a wall,” she said. “I had foot drop — I would trip on air. It (MS) was smacking me in the face, saying, ‘I’m still here.’ That was devastating.”

Laura found IMSMP and began to working painstakingly to rebuild what MS had begun to erode: basic movements like walking, running, even jumping had to be re-learned. It was not an easy road, but Laura never shied away from the challenge.

With Dr. Sadiq as her primary neurologist and the support of our in-house Naturopathic Doctor, Laura used a combination of medication and lifestyle changes to significantly lower her inflammation and reduce the severity of her symptoms. On days when she felt weak or discouraged, she showed up anyway, fueling her progress with hard work and self-compassion.

We're happy to report that her perseverance has paid off: in the years since her diagnosis, Laura has defied expectations. She's completed a triathlon, tackled five Spartan races, climbed to the top of Rockefeller Center, trains regularly in CrossFit, and has paddled countless miles in an outrigger canoe.

In the face of MS, she has chosen adventure.

Laura’s athletic achievements are not just impressive personal milestones: they are a testament to what is possible when someone with MS commits to their health in a holistic way. 

Her progress underscores a core philosophy we hold at IMSMP: effective MS care is not simply symptom control. It’s about life-building — helping our patients define their own versions of fulfillment and resilience.