‘Green Plastic Whistle’ Makes Music with Multiple Sclerosis as Disease and Direction

A photo of Edward of "Green Plastic Whistle" who discusses having Relapse–Remitting MS.

Pointing to Edward’s first symptom of Relapse–Remitting MS is tricky. From anxiety in his 20s, to poor sleep and numb hands, to back pain and difficulty walking, the road to diagnosis has been rocky. When he finally received confirmation—in the form of a terrifying MRI showing countless lesions on his brain and spine—Edward was a new father in his early 30s. Coming to terms with a lifelong condition that presents differently for everyone was a process that has slowly shifted his outlook on both his past and his future.

In this episode, we speak with Edward about what his journey through symptoms and diagnosis looked like, and reflect on how facing down a debilitating illness can change your outlook on life if you let it. A musician from a young age, today Edward is exploring live performance with his solo project, Green Plastic Whistle, and facing an aversion to fame that derailed some previous opportunities. As he puts it, being told you have an unpredictable disease, that has the potential to impact anything from bladder function to your ability to see, really puts fear into perspective.

With cautious optimism and a balanced take on the pros and cons of the medical system, Edward and Jesse delve into how you envision your future when you don’t know what your health will hold. They explore the promising remyelination medications that have the MS community abuzz and what it’s like to start a family in the midst of disease progression. Edward’s experience with Multiple Sclerosis has given him a new perspective on how we prioritize our lives and what’s possible when you begin to face the future without fear.

Learn more about Edward’s solo project, Green Plastic Whistle: https://www.instagram.com/greenplasticwhistle/

Listen to Green Plastic Whistle on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/0b6gv1y0qrwlp4bp3ztmusnsa?si=d557f3eb1a0947c2