Vlogger, actor, patient leader and host of NoStressMS
Welcome to “7 Questions with A Couple,” a monthly series on our blog that will include quick conversations with a variety of experts and influencers from throughout the MS community. For our third post in this series, we are so excited to introduce Damian Washington. He is a dynamic speaker, presenter, actor, and MS patient leader. Damian is the host, writer and video editor for the YouTube MS vlog NoStressMS, which has more than 4,100 subscribers and recently was named “Best In Show: YouTube” in the 9th Annual WEGO Health Awards. We first met Damian at an MS event in Chicago late last year, have worked with him on several projects (including the Roxanne Parody Official Multiple Sclerosis Version video), and are grateful to have him as a leader in the MS community.
1. You were diagnosed with MS around four years ago. What led you to pursue this venture as a positive voice for the MS community, and did you ever think this is where you’d be around four years following your diagnosis?
Certainly not at all. I mean, I was just trying to make a vlog, but I saw that the videos concerning my MS were the most watched videos on my vlog. Clearly, those who were watching these videos needed them. Seeing who’s out there in the MS space is good energy for us all. The sun isn’t always shining, but I’m in my sun when I’m making these videos and sharing in their stories.
2. You seem like you are everywhere as a host, patient leader, vlogger, you name it 🙂 What are your secrets to staying organized and maintaining your energy in spite of MS?
At the end of the day, I have MS. Ultimately what’s great about this particular moment is that people who didn’t know me are getting to know me, and if you knew me before, you expected this from me. More and different people can now tap into it and hopefully feed off this energy. To get the charge I need, I get to bed as close as possible to 10 each night and wake up at 5 each morning. That seven solid hours is the North Star.
3. Of all of your accomplishments in the MS community, what projects/events are you most proud of?
I’m proud of being involved in National MS Society events, but I think the things I’m most proud of are the relationships that I’ve built throughout this journey. It’s the people I’ve met because they bring the joy that wasn’t there before we met. And with this, I’m most proud of just showing up and being my best self within this space. If you show up at anything less than your best, people aren’t going to have a clear idea of who you truly are.
4. You are such a positive and encouraging voice for people who live with MS. Where do you turn for your encouragement?
My encouragement comes from religion and scriptures of old and from people like Bob Proctor, Reverend Ike and people who encourage you to hold good space for yourself. The best way you can be your best is just to have this joy, right here and right now. I think I’m just always trying to find ways to bring more enjoyment or intensity. You know, just trying to get more juice out of the fruit as many times as possible. But things don’t always have to be positive because it’s the negative, it’s the challenges – those are the things that connect people in this space. You don’t take any of those moments for granted. And I don’t know if you’re religious or not, but I often think of (Psalm 118:24) “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” This gives me encouragement.
5. Obviously, there is more to you than MS. What does the world need to know about who Damian Washington is?
I like to perform. I like to be part of the show, and I’m good at it. It’s what I’ve been working toward more than half of my life. And it’s so important for me to show up time and time again – rain or shine, win or lose, tired or rested, I’m just going to show up and then try to give it as much as I can at that time.
6. Where is your happy place?
I’m in my happy place right now. I’m in my chair in my living room. There’s a nice a view out the window. It’s cool and the light is good. This is giving me the space to just be. I am big on doing, and by doing, the more things will evolve for me. So this is my happy place right here, right now. But who knows what it’s going to be at some other point in time?
7. Through your experiences with MS and from all of the people you’ve interviewed, what is the best piece of advice you’ve received about living with MS?
Everybody’s MS is their own. It’s yours. This thing is so individual, so whatever you’re doing that works for you: keep doing it.