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JOIN US FOR A 2025 HEALING ADVENTURE!
March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, and First Descents wants to honor those in our community who have been diagnosed with this disease, which is the most common neuroinflammatory disease affecting young adults. We recently chatted with Diane “JIT (Just in Time)” Jonasson to discuss her journey with multiple sclerosis (MS), her involvement with First Descents, and how the power of community has played a vital role in her healing process.
JIT was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in January 2022 at the University of Michigan. A move to Colorado from Michigan brought her new opportunities to connect with other young adults living with MS. For JIT, the support of her community in Colorado has proven an essential part of healing while navigating life with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Living with relapsing-remitting MS impacts JIT’s daily life — she experiences limited mobility, brain fog and fatigue — but that doesn’t stop her. In July 2024, she took the leap and fully dove into the First Descents magic by joining us on a Community Adventure, hiking in Evergreen, Colo., for our annual Out Living It Day. One conversation led to another, and she found herself committing to a unique opportunity to meet us at our headquarters in Denver a month later for a merchandise launch photoshoot, where she modeled with enthusiasm while connecting with other members of the FD community.
Since then, JIT has participated in several other Community Adventures and looks forward to volunteering at the upcoming 18th Annual First Descents Ball in April. JIT has yet to join us on a Core Program, but says she is thrilled to have received the news just a few days ago that she will attend a weeklong surfing program in Outer Banks, N.C., this coming May.
What draws her to FD? “The personalities, loving and accepting nature of everyone at FD, and the can-do attitude are really what keep me coming back — it’s contagious,” she says.
Learn more about JIT’s experience with MS and how important community is to her through this Q&A:
My dad actually read an article in the Denver Post, and he thought First Descents sounded like the greatest thing in the world — it was so cool! I was in Michigan at the time, and the article made me realize that Denver sounds like a great place, especially for people living with MS.
I started following FD online and subscribed to the email newsletters, keeping an eye out for ways to get involved. It seemed like every community event there, I had something going on, so it wasn’t until July 2024 that I was able to attend the Out Living It Day hiking Community Adventure in Evergreen. My best friend Francie attended a whitewater kayaking weeklong program in Oregon last summer and said it was one of the greatest things she’s ever done, so that encouraged me to apply for a program in 2025.
I was officially diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in January 2022 at the University of Michigan. Since moving to Denver, I now get treatment working with Dr. Shah from the MS Center at UC Health. I’ve had a few other autoimmune illnesses creep in, and it’s been a blessing in disguise to have such a great team that can help support me as new illnesses arise.
I try to get as much activity and community with people who understand what I’m going through as I can. A lot of people with MS come to Colorado because there are so many resources and doctors, which really helps to feel like I’m not alone. I join activities through First Descents and the Rocky Mountain MS Center, and am planning on getting holistic treatments through the Chanda Center for Health.
Living in a place with such strong support makes all the difference, helping you feel less alone on your journey. You can sort of commiserate with people and celebrate the wins. It’s reassuring to know that I don’t have to explain myself when I need to cancel plans because I’m too fatigued or leave an event early due to feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. Having people who get it without needing an explanation is really comforting.
I love connecting with people and that they remind you that you’re not alone. At the hiking CA in Evergreen I was walking really slow, I was fine with it, and fine with holding up the rear. FD staffer Rescue stayed back with me, and it reminded me that there will always be somebody who will stick it out with you and go at your own pace.
Just in Time was given to me by Wolf, CEO of First Descents, at the Community Adventure in Evergreen. It was about the third nickname that he’d given to me since the first few didn’t quite stick. It was because I’m always just a little bit late, even though I do my best not to be. When I got to the hike, a few people were hanging out near a truck but I didn’t realize people had started gathering. I was doing my own thing packing my bag and listening to my music. I looked out and saw the group gathering at the beginning of the trail, and I quickly grabbed my stuff and ran over to them just in time to get on the hike. I am just in time for everything. It’s fun because people wonder what the abbreviation “JIT” means, and I like that it keeps people guessing.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects everyone differently. Certain things about MS are very typical, like fatigue, temperature sensitivity and brain fog, but symptoms vary by person. We can have good days and bad days, and we are constantly having to work on just functioning. The reason why we have so much fatigue is because our brains are working overtime to just function.
Patience is key when supporting somebody with MS. You might not always be able to visibly see the different struggles that someone is going through and what’s happening internally, but we are doing the best that we can. You might see someone with MS be able to do a hike or work out, but the next day they might hardly be able to get out of bed. You don’t always see what is happening behind closed doors, and we want to be as normal as possible, but sometimes we can’t be.
JIT’s commitment to First Descents is a wonderful reminder that you don’t need to have participated in a Core Program to be a part of our community. Our Community Adventures and volunteer opportunities are here to help you start Out Living It and connect with others who truly understand the experiences you are going through. Whether you’re waiting for the right time to join a program, searching for a community in your area, or simply wanting to share the healing power of adventure, First Descents is here to support you wherever you are on your journey! Ready to get started?