Originally from Salinas, James Stewart moved to Sonoma County in 1996 with his wife, Neila, when he transferred from Hewlett-Packard in Roseville to HP/Agilent’s site in Santa Rosa.
Managing projects in the aircraft and high tech industry, James’ career was interrupted after he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2007.
James’ first symptoms were experienced in 2003 while cycling his favorite Sonoma county roads. Initially diagnosed with benign recurring remitting MS, his symptoms developed further into primary progressive MS.
Five years ago the disease progressed such that he could no longer work full-time. This life-change helped James make a turn to activism to raise awareness about MS among politicians and other interested Californians.
James is volunteering with the National MS Society as a District Activist Leader and communicates with elected officials about issues important to those living with MS and other chronic diseases.