In a heartfelt moment at the Race to Erase MS Gala, Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, known for her influential role at Disney Entertainment Television, bravely shared her personal battle with multiple sclerosis (MS). By deciding to live courageously every day, she aims to inspire others facing similar challenges. The event served as a powerful reminder of the strength found in community and support.
<|p|>Naomi Bulochnikov-Paul, executive vice president of communications at Disney Entertainment Television, was honored with the Medal of Hope for her resilience in the face of multiple sclerosis. Upon receiving the award from MS advocate Nancy Davis, she candidly admitted her initial hesitation. “When Nancy first asked me to do this, I hesitated — not because I didn’t want to, but because I was afraid. Will people look at me differently? Is this bad for my career? Will my kids worry about me?”
<|p|>She expressed the importance of owning her narrative, stating, “I knew that being here tonight was important, and I decided I wasn’t going to let MS define me.” With a career rooted in communication, Bulochnikov-Paul emphasized her determination to control her story.
<|p|>Since her diagnosis, Bulochnikov-Paul has found comfort in a supportive community, highlighting the encouragement from her Disney colleagues, including Disney’s president and chief creative officer, Dana Walden. Describing a poignant moment, she shared, “Dana came to my first doctor’s appointment with a notebook and a pen like it was the most important meeting of her day. After the appointment, she asked me if I wanted to take some time off. I said no because what I needed in that moment was normalcy, and what she said next put me down the path that brought me here. She said, ‘MS doesn’t know what’s coming for it.’”
<|p|>Walden’s unwavering support extended beyond the hospital visit. Bulochnikov-Paul recounted Walden’s role in helping her find a doctor and standing by her decision to continue working. “The things that filled my days beforehand, none of that was going to change. I was going to keep doing my job and doing it well. And Dana, thank you for never expecting anything less.” She also acknowledged Disney Entertainment Television chairman Debra O’Connell for being an ever-present support, as well as her husband and three sons.
<|p|>Reflecting on life’s uncertainties, Bulochnikov-Paul concluded, “At the end of the day, none of us know what happens tomorrow. All any of us can do is choose how we live. You can live in fear or you can live in power — every day I choose the latter.”
<|p|>The gala raised over $1.8 million to benefit Race to Erase MS and its Center Without Walls program, dedicated to collaboration among top MS research centers. The event, hosted by Jesse Palmer, featured performances by Ty Dolla $ign, Rachel Platten, Richie Sambora, and Dancing With the Stars pros Alan Bersten and Emma Slater, alongside a fashion show by L’AGENCE.
