PHOTO BY Joan Gummels / MPW.59 PHOTO BY Joan Gummels / MPW.59
  • Bobbi Hansen: A Fierce Pursuit of Life
  • By Joan Gummels, Freelance
  • The 59th Missouri Photo Workshop / Chillicothe, Mo.
  • Bobbi Hansen, 37, was diagnosed with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis five years ago while pregnant with her youngest child. Without the luxury of taking physical activity for granted, Bobbi struggles each day to fulfill a deep devotion to her family, fighting increasing fatigue as the hours pass.

    “I’m not the type of person who gives up,” said Bobbi. A take-charge personality by nature, when her counselor recently suggested it might be good to find a local self-help group, Bobbi instead organized the Chillicothe chapter of the MS Society.

    Bobbi is a devoted mother to sons Kyle, 8, and Seth, 5. As the youngest child, Seth is especially attached to Bobbi, taking every opportunity for physical closeness. By day’s end, all her efforts to remain a hands-on parent take a personal toll in physical exhaustion, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Bobbi gets ready for another busy day, keeping a watchful eye on Seth and Kyle. This morning, Bobbi’s husband Kevin left for a three-day business trip.

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