Self-advocacy is more than just a buzzword; it is the act of speaking up for yourself, clearly communicating your needs, and taking action to get what you want in life. At its core, it is about recognizing your own worth and ensuring your perspective is heard and respected.
When you learn to advocate for yourself, you transition from being a passive observer to an active participant in your own MS journey.
Here are a few tips to start being your own best advocate:
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“Self-advocacy” sounds so empowering and clean when you say it out loud. A neat, controlled, confident phrase. It makes you feel like the kind of person who knows exactly what they need and is not afraid to ask for it.
Living with MS and working in the MS space has taught me it is rarely that simple.
Continue readingIf you are living with MS, you have likely heard those five dreaded words: “But you look so good!” While usually meant as a compliment, for many in the MS community, those words can feel like a slap in the face.
Multiple sclerosis is often called an “invisible illness.” Because many of the most difficult symptoms happen deep inside the body or brain, friends, family, and even doctors might not see the battle you are fighting. This can make describing those invisible symptoms quite challenging.
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For more than 15 years, MSAA has celebrated the artistic talents of the MS community in our digital Art Showcase. This year – for the second year in a row – we are excited to launch MSAA’s largest Showcase to date!
Featuring 94 artists and more than 250 wonderful pieces of artwork, MSAA’s 2026-2027 Art Showcase highlights the inspiring stories of individuals with multiple sclerosis from across the country. We highly encourage you to view this one-of-a-kind Showcase by visiting MSAA’s 2026-2027 Art Showcase webpage.
MSAA features the work of many talented artists affected by multiple sclerosis as part of our annual MSAA Art Showcase. Each month we share these artists’ inspiring stories and beautiful artwork with you as our Artist of the Month. This month, we celebrate Leidy Burgos of Philadelphia, PA as March’s Artist of the Month.
MSAA proudly recognizes March as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and is pleased to present the MS community with helpful and encouraging resources and programs throughout the month.
Our MS Awareness Month theme in 2026 – Your MS, Your Voice: The Power of Self-Advocacy – focuses on what advocating for oneself really looks like in everyday life. Throughout March, explore self-advocacy from both the clinician and lived-experience perspective as we share practical tools to help the MS community. Please join us for the following free MS Awareness Month activities:
Continue readingFeaturing Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Question: What types of visual disorders may be caused by MS, and are any types of visual issues not typically associated with MS?
Answer: Visual signs and symptoms are common in multiple sclerosis and ultimately affect the majority of people with MS at some time in their lives. Problems occur when there is demyelination of the optic nerve or the brain stem centers that control eye movements.
Continue readingFor a heart-healthy win that feels like spring on a plate, you can’t beat this easy sheet pan Lemon-Herb Salmon & Spring Greens. Salmon is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids that support cardiovascular health.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
For many years, my health declined, and I found myself searching desperately for answers. I reached out to my healthcare team, at times pleading for their help to uncover what was causing my condition to worsen. Initially, I was diagnosed with dystonia, not multiple sclerosis (MS). As I sought second opinions, it became clear to me that many people struggle to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. I also realized that healthcare professionals may feel threatened when patients seek external advice or opinions.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
Lately, I’ve been pausing periodically throughout each day to ask myself, “How do I want to show up today?”
It only takes a moment, just enough time for a brief inhale and exhale. It allows me to shake loose whatever thoughts are running through my mind and start fresh. I like to imagine I’m shaking a marked-up Etch-A-Sketch toy to create a clean surface ready for whatever I want to draw.
Continue readingBy Angel Blair
When we hear the word relationships we often think about the connections we have to others. Bonds with our family, friends, significant others, etc. So we tend to forget one of the most important but commonly overlooked relationships we have, and that’s the one we hold with ourselves. We work hard to maintain and foster the relationships that we have with other people in our lives, but the relationship we have with ourselves deserves the same attention and compassion. This is a concept that can get lost in the shuffle of juggling life’s demands, but it has earned the right to be found.
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