Tina Angelos shares her powerful MS journey, motherhood, career success and why community support matters, as Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA) marks 75 years of hope.
South Africa (29 October 2025) – Today, we meet Tina Angelos, who joins a group of inspiring South Africans who are sharing their journeys of living with Multiple Sclerosis. These heroes have been sharing their life stories in an effort to raise awareness about the disease and in honour of the 75th anniversary of Multiple Sclerosis South Africa. To date, we have met nine heroes who have helped to dispel misconceptions and challenge stereotypes, and Tina has become our tenth for 2025!
The disease is still underrepresented in South Africa, but that is changing! Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA) is raising the profile of the disease, offering support for families and raising funds to help make a difference. Their goal is to unite Africa and create a federation for the continent that will empower thousands of people suffering from these health issues. And in a world where state healthcare struggles to meet basic demands, they unite those who face uncertainty in treatment, advocating for change!
We hope to highlight many stories in celebration of their 75th anniversary, a diamond jubilee, so to speak. It is a celebration of all the gems who aim to make living with MS a little easier.
What is Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. Symptoms can range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.
Every case is proving unique, and the progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving closer to a world free of MS.
Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.9 million people worldwide. MS is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system.
There is so much more to the disease, which we have shared for World MS Day 2023 here.
Tina Angelos Shares How Her Love of Life Has Motivated Her Through Living with MS.
Born in Johannesburg as the youngest of three, Tina shares that growing up with brothers put her in good standing. She later qualified as a pharmacist and pushed herself to qualify a second time, earning her business degree from WITS.
She was eager to dive into the corporate world first as a Business Strategist, and then as a Management Consultant, and finally in Financial Services. It was during her last role that she noticed something wasn’t quite right. Determined to strike a work/life balance, she moved to join her family’s group of companies.
In 2005, the news came: a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. Tina was only 30 years old. She made it work, even though treatments and awareness about the disease were rarer then. She didn’t react well to the medicine options. Her treatment protocol included multiple injections per week that often left her feeling like she was getting a full-body flu.
“Of course, because I am madly in love with life, I made a decision that I would not let MS rule my life. Trust me, easier said than done.
The physical, emotional and lifestyle changes make it tough when you are first diagnosed.”
Despite struggling, Tina lived up to her promise, and 20 years later, she is still going strong. When the time came to raise a family, MS gave Tina her fair share of struggles. She ended her treatment, and while she loved not having side effects, she also had seven miscarriages and multiple MS flares. It took five years and the realisation that even in this, support was needed. Today, Tina is the mother of two healthy boys via surrogacy.
“I have two boys aged 9 and 11, and run the Industrial Sector of the group of companies. This takes me to interesting places both locally and abroad for work.
Being a mom is the best gift from God. Managing work, kids, life and MS can get totally hectic and overwhelming, BUT I am a strong believer in support (in my case, my family and friends), mental well-being (hence regular counselling), and finding your purpose in life.
For me, it is my kids, family and growing my businesses and our people.”
During her early days of treatment, Tina took every opportunity to share with her team and customers. It was her way of raising awareness about the disease. She eventually found the right treatment plan for her MS.
“I found a new neurologist, changed my meds to my monthly IV infusions. I have been on my infusion for 12 years and am currently in NEDA state (no evidence of disease activity).
But remember! The scars and lesions on the brain don’t go away. So it’s not perfect, but I have no deterioration. For this, I am incredibly grateful.”
Tina spends her free time swimming and walking in nature. She does find that if she overheats, her MS flares up so she sticks to lighter activities.
“You will find me swimming for all MSSA events to raise awareness and funds”
When the days don’t allow for outdoor activity, Tina loves a good crime show. She also can’t go wrong with a good bit of business-related reading and morning coffees are a must!
Through all the highs and lows, Tina has found that her mindset is what has helped her triumph over MS.
“The biggest secret in my experience is your mindset. Of course, your body, muscles, fatigue, numbness, tingling are there and you feel like s%#t, you need constant emotional and mental well-being. I am under the guidance of an excellent psychiatrist who I see every month as part of my medical plan.
I take my antidepressants and other meds so that I can be the best version of myself. No one can do this journey on their own
My other “secret” is to talk about it. To friends, colleagues, family. Educate others so they can understand you better and this helps you to manage their expectations of yourself. Join like-minded groups like MSSA where the space to open up is safe and non judgemental
Lastly, I have learnt (and still learning) the art of not being too hard on myself. Be kind to yourself. Only you know exactly how you feel. Give yourself solitude and don’t be guilty about taking time for yourself”
As for helping others who are newly navigating their own MS journeys, she has this to share:
“Each person’s journey is different. But we share so many commonalities. Lean on one another, reach out to people you trust. Ask direct questions like which doctors specialise in MS, what things have helped those with MS.
Don’t hold back. Take as much control of things you can control, and for the rest, let the process take its course.”
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