November 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Lisa McNerney

Ashley DavisZebra Spotlight

I am Lisa McNerney. I am a mom to two kids, and they are my number one job. My youngest is special needs and I spend a lot of time advocating for him. My oldest has ADHD and I have worked hard to teach her to advocate for herself. It may be backfiring on me buts that’s not what this is about today. ðŸ˜‰ 

I am the most part-time hairstylist there is. I love doing hair, and I am not willing to give it up yet. I have been married to the best man for the last 15 years. Almost immediately after our wedding, fifteen years ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It has been a journey, but we are still having fun!

5 Invisible Symptoms

  1. My vision is pain. I am like Goldilocks; if I am too hot or too cold, my vision gets disrupted. I lose sight in my left eye and things get very blurry in my right. It shuts life down until my internal temperature is regulated and everything is just right again.
  2. When I look down, my legs go completely numb. It’s the strangest thing and believe it or not, after 15 years, it still surprises me when it happens.
  3. I can become dizzy out of nowhere. I typically get a zing up my neck, and the dizzy party begins. It is the most debilitating symptom, as it lasts as long as it feels like, and there isn’t much I can do to help relieve the dizziness. I can’t mom or drive. I can’t work or think. It’s the worst. 
  4. I have constant pain radiating up my neck that cannot be relieved. It’s become a part of my life, and I don’t know what life would be without it anymore. 
  5. Fatigue is a problem these days. Sometimes it’s work to just lift my limbs. My feet drag or I can just fall. Mentally it’s hard. 

4 Things That Help Me Manage Pain

  1. First and foremost, I stay as active as I can be. I try to work out daily to help strengthen my body and deal with the mental load. 
  2. Medications and supplements are also key in my world.
  3. I am lucky to have a team of doctors who are always willing and available to help me. 
  4. Down time helps manage my pain, and it’s important to take it if I can.

3 Ways My Life Has Changed

  1. I cannot see at night. I have lost my vision for extended periods of time, so oftentimes the damage cannot be repaired. 
  2. I can’t be as free to do what I once could. I have lost some independence and it’s hard.
  3. My medication suppresses my immune system. When I get sick it lasts longer than it should. I stay away from others more than I like to. 

2 People Who Inspire Me

  1. My friend Betsy. We met in the infusion center and immediately clicked. She lives with Multiple Sclerosis, and it does not stop her! She has dealt with other Illnesses as well and has been a true boss babe through it all.
  2. My Bestie Aud. When she didn’t know what was going on with her body, or why she was feeling bad, she didn’t stop advocating for herself. She asked around and made doctor appointments. She advocated her needs and didn’t settle until she found things to help her feel better with Vestibular Migraines. Aud continues to take care of herself this way, and she’s a boss babe too! 

1 Thing You Want People to Know

I am not Lazy. I am actually the opposite. It takes a lot of work to be me. I don’t know what it feels like to be “normal.” I take pride in how hard I work to keep up as best as I can. I often remind myself I am a bada** because I am.

To read all of our previous zebra spotlights, please click here.