Ann Romney met her husband Mitt Romney, Republican nominee in the 2012 U.S. presidential election, in her late teens and a great American love story began. They were blessed with five healthy sons, financial security and a home filled with joy. Despite the typical ups and downs, they had a storybook life. Then, in 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. A caregiver and helper her whole life, Ann had suddenly become the patient. Tackling the diagnosis as a team, she and Mitt would face the most frightening and humbling experience of their lives. As Mitt told Ann: they were in it together.

After her diagnosis, Ann tried a mixture of mainstream and alternative treatments and resumed horseback riding, a passion she had pursued as child. Riding made a fundamental difference and helped her learn to live with the disease. Riding horses helped her become more appreciative of the things she was able to do, rather than feeling angry about what she couldn't. She shares, "Riding had done so much for me. It helped me feel better physically, it helped lift my depression, it allowed me at least briefly to forget all about my MS, it allowed me to meet an entirely new group of friends and a sweet animal who put up with my failings…" Ann received instruction in dressage and progressed to train with California trainer and Olympian, Jan Ebeling. Jan helped Ann to compete successfully as an adult amateur at the national level, earning Gold and Silver Medals from the United States Dressage Federation. Riding dressage enabled Ann to overcome limitations on many levels, and while her original doctor suggested she join an MS support group, she decided not to as she unexpectedly found the social support she needed in the dressage world.

From reflections on her early life, her marriage, and her diagnosis and recovery, the sources of her faith, and the stories of others who overcame adversity and inspired her to keep going, In This Together is a brave and deeply honest portrait of a family facing an unexpected blow, often in the most public of circumstances.

Hardcover: 272 pages

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

ISBN: 9781250083975