Look Forward to Something

By Stacie Prada

Fall where I live means shorter days, less sunlight, more rain, and colder weather. I realized after my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, that seasonal shifts to spring and fall are times when I’m more susceptible to MS exacerbations. I used to worry about it, and it’s taken a lot of effort to feel more confident approaching seasonal changes.

My usual approach is:

  1. When things are tough, take inventory of what’s tough, what will help, and what’s helped before; and
  2. Look forward to something.

For the first item in my approach, check out my post, Seasonal Well-Being Checklists, for some tips on coping with season changes. With this post, I’ll focus on the second one: Looking forward to something.

It’s easy to focus on the season’s challenges, but it’s helpful to acknowledge and take advantage of the benefits.

Shorter days mean sunrises are later in the morning, and I’m more likely to be awake to enjoy them. Many of my favorite sunrise photographs and moments of enjoying them were in the fall. Earlier sunsets and darkness also make it less difficult to get to bed and fall asleep.

Colder weather means I’m more comfortable outside and don’t need to worry about heat-induced MS symptoms. When the weather isn’t as warm and sunny, I feel less pressure to be outside. Spending time indoors feels more cozy, comforting, and relaxing.

October brings Halloween and autumn foliage. Seeing photos from friends and family of kids enjoying the fall season is delightful. I love seeing their pumpkin patch outings, apple orchard picking, and Halloween costumes. I enjoy giving candy to trick-or-treaters and admiring their costumes.

Early autumn brings low-pressure Thanksgiving and Christmas planning. Planning early for decorations, cards, gifts, and get-togethers can be done with excited anticipation rather than last-minute anxiety and stress.

When I focus on what I enjoy with the season, it brightens my outlook and makes coping with challenges a bit easier.

*Stacie Prada was diagnosed with RRMS in 2008 just shy of 38 years old. Her blog, “Keep Doing What You’re Doing” is a compilation of inspiration, exploration, and practical tips for living with Multiple Sclerosis while living a full, productive, and healthy life with a positive perspective. It includes musings on things that help her adapt, cope and celebrate this adventure on earth. Please visit her at stacieprada.blogspot.com/

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Shared Experiences: Things Only Someone With MS Would Understand

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can feel lonely. It is hard for others to understand the spectrum of MS symptoms. Fortunately, there are communities to connect with others navigating MS! It makes the journey feel less isolating. 

MultipleSclerosis.net recently posted the following:

“Fill in the blank: ______ is something that only someone with multiple sclerosis would understand.”

This question clearly resonated, as there were over 350 responses! Among the comments, some common themes emerged.

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Adam St. George – October 2024 Artist of the Month

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 Adam St. George as September’s Artist of the Month. Adam is from Menifee, CA.

“Under the Widow’s Web”

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Hurricane Helene Resources

The devastation from Hurricane Helene has affected millions of people in the Southeast and has resulted in widespread damage. Many people have lost their lives, communities have been destroyed, families have been displaced and essential services have been disrupted. Recovery and restoration from the aftermath of the hurricane is going to take a long time. Considering the recent impact of Hurricane Helene, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) has compiled a comprehensive list of resources to assist with emergency preparedness and response.

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Self-Care on the Wings of a Goldfinch

I’ve already written this blog post once and I’ve decided to scrap it. This is a page one rewrite. My initial post was preemptive. I was writing about something I had yet to experience and now I’m on the other side. Isn’t it funny how much we can project onto something that is yet to be? Better to live in the present, but what a challenge that is for me.

Our topic this month is self-care, and my ultimate self-care starts with a 20-year desire and ends in a goldfinch. On Friday the 13th I got a tattoo of a goldfinch on my forearm. It’s not my first tattoo and probably won’t be my last, but this little guy is the most meaningful to date. The goldfinch is a symbol of finding happiness in challenging times. It is seen as protective, devoted, persistent, and carries good fortune on its wings.  What more could you ask for in a little cheerleader when you’re living with MS? It may seem strange that I consider this new addition to my skin as self-care, but I can’t honestly think of a more direct way to honor and treat myself.

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Selfless Self Care

The significance of self-care is undermined in individuals going through MS. MS can wreak havoc on your life as it leads to physical, behavioral and cognitive changes over time.  Below are some ideas for self-care that will improve your brain and body’s wellbeing while battling this disease:

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DIY Self-Care

By Stacie Prada

Self-care: Anything that nourishes me physically or emotionally, reduces stress, or improves my well-being.

Self-care is necessary and often neglected. That said, it only feels neglected when we’re feeling stressed, overloaded, or having a hard time. It’s important to give ourselves credit for all we do to care for ourselves and others every day.  Perspective matters. If we remember how much we’re already doing, it’s easier to show compassion for ourselves.

Self-care by definition means taking an active role in taking care of ourselves, physically and emotionally. It implies it’s solely a Do It Yourself (DIY) responsibility. When feeling overwhelmed or not well, it’s natural to believe the answer is to just try harder. This is when we need to remember we’re like a DIY home project: we can’t and don’t need to do it all on our own.

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Fear of Falling With MS

A concern for many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the fear of falling. Loss of balance with this disease makes falling a common problem. But many find that slowing down, walking carefully, and learning to get up safely after a fall can be helpful.1

MulipleSclerosis.net recently published an article that highlighted some of these trials. Given the reaction it received, it clearly resonated with lots of people! Here are some of the themes that people shared in response to the article. 

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Back to School Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars are quick and easy to make for all ages! They only take about 10 minutes to prepare.  All you need are three ingredients to make these yummy bars and are perfect to pack for back to school!

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Mental Health Action Steps

In today’s busy and overwhelming world of daily tasks, practicing self-care can feel like a luxury reserved for those who have more time. With a number of commitments and responsibilities taking priority, it’s easy for self-care and enhancing one’s mental health to take a backseat. However, what some do not realize is that caring for one’s mental and physical health is essential to maintaining overall well-being and productivity. I asked our AI friend Chat GPT for some advice on how to prioritize mental health whilst having a busy schedule. Here are some action steps that were provided:

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