Awkward Bitch: My Life with MS is a comically raw and refreshingly honest memoir about chasing dreams, losing control, and finding yourself again.
Marlo Donato Parmelee was living life on her terms. A vivacious fashionista by day and a determined musician by night, she left New York for London, ready to make her mark on the music scene. Armed with fierce ambition and a killer sense of style, Marlo juggled band gigs, songwriting, and her luxury retail day job with practiced ease. But only a month into her new life abroad, everything changed. Out of nowhere, her eyesight began to fade—and that was just the beginning.
What follows is a roller coaster journey across London, Paris, Miami, and New York as Marlo searches for answers. At thirty-five, she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common disabling neurological disease affecting young adults. Suddenly, she finds herself navigating not just a new city, but an entirely new life—one filled with needles, specialists, and a body that doesn’t always cooperate.
Told with biting humor, fierce resilience, and unapologetic honesty, Awkward Bitch chronicles Marlo’s transformation from an image-conscious fashion maven to a woman embracing her imperfections—and her power. As she wrestles with self-image, independence, and identity, she reclaims her life and redefines success on her own terms.
This is not a story about giving up. It’s about showing up. For yourself. For your dreams. And for the life you didn’t see coming.
Awkward Bitch will resonate with anyone living with chronic illness, struggling to stay fabulous against the odds, or simply looking for an unflinching—and unexpectedly funny—story of resilience.
American author and musician Marlo Donato Parmelee was born 29 May, 1972, and is the youngest daughter of an Irish mother and Sicilian- American father. Marlo grew up on Long Island, NY and received a BA in classical Music from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, NYC. She has lived in London for the past five years. By day, Marlo is the UK support manager for luxury fashion brand, Donna Karan International. By night, she takes to the stage as the driving force behind local London band, Mantis and the Prayer (www.myspace.com/mantisandtheprayer), as well as her solo project, Marlo Donato (www.myspace.com/marlodonato). As she says, 'fashion is my passion, and music is my religion. Storytelling, whether it is in music or written form, is how I express my spirit.'She is a member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers) and her music has been played on radio stations in the US, UK, and Australia. She has been interviewed on Long Island radio WGBB, London's LBC News and has appeared on BBC's City Hospital, where her music was featured as well. Her EP, Marlo can be purchased at amazon.com.Awkward Bitch: My Life with MS is Marlo's first book. In 2004, at the age of 32, Marlo was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, the most common neurological disease amongst young adults today. From diagnosis her attitude has been 'forget MS, I still look hot!'She has worked with the MS Society and charities such as Attitude is Everything to raise awareness for MS and other disabling conditions. Marlo has a popular Youtube channel www.youtube.com/teslagirlm where she vlogs candidly and amusingly about her battle with MS. Her topics include sex, injecting medication, fatigue, and travelling. Marlo regularly gives talks about her Multiple Sclerosis at the Royal London Hospital.
