By Angel Blair
When it comes to relationships, it’s important to surround yourself with people you feel comfortable with and enjoy being in the company of. The great part about this is that you can build your own community of people who appreciate, understand, and like you for you. At one time, community was only interpreted as the representation of your neighborhood or town where you live, but community can mean so much more.
Continue readingLiving with a chronic illness means mastering a complicated dance. For individuals navigating multiple sclerosis (MS), that dance includes an uninvited partner who constantly changes the music. One minute you are gliding smoothly, and the next, the tempo shifts without warning. Living with MS may require rewriting the rules of daily life to help reclaim control, energy, and personal happiness.
Continue readingI have always been the type of person who prided myself on being independent. I tend to be the one to always say, “I’ve got it,” and handle all responsibilities alone. The one who rarely asks for help because I don’t want to inconvenience anyone. As someone who was raised to always accommodate others, I have spent my adult years really attempting to unlearn this behavior. And now becoming a mom, I’ve learned the hard way that it is nearly impossible to do it all alone.
Continue reading“I am so grateful for this community and the wonderful people here. It has been life-changing for me to have so much support, be able to help others, and to find great resources. Bravo, MSAA!”
-My MSAA Community member
This year, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is recognizing a very special milestone: the 10th anniversary of our online forum, My MSAA Community!
Continue readingMSAA 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 Benjamin Roma as August’s Artist of the Month. Benjamin is from Seattle, WA.
Continue readingAs we dive into the bright and sun-filled days of summer, I find myself pondering just how wonderful this season feels in our lives. Probably the best part is the joy of spending time with loved ones and building meaningful connections. While travel is a big part of the season, it is important to plan mindfully—especially when living with MS. Since every individual’s MS journey is different, it is important to plan based on your needs. Make time for rest, listen to your body, and prepare ahead so you can truly cherish the holiday experience. Since travel can also be costly, there are several smart ways to reduce expenses without compromising on the comfort of the holidays.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
Have you ever wanted to free yourself from your daily routine, but an elaborate vacation was not within your budget? Maybe your family and friends do not have the time for a weeklong travel itinerary, or maybe you simply need a quick break without all the planning, packing, and expense that usually comes with traveling. Something unplanned can still feel refreshing, exciting, and meaningful. A staycation, a skill-cation, or even a bae-cation can all give you the feeling of taking a vacation without requiring you to go far from home. All these new terms for vacation can be included in the simple decision to slow down, step away from everyday stress, and enjoy a staycation.
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El verano suele asociarse con vacaciones, viajes, y gastos. Sin embargo, el aumento de los precios y nuestras obligaciones diarias pueden dificultar estos planes. La buena noticia es que existen muchas actividades que son divertidas y económicas. Crear una lista de actividades de verano puede ayudarle a aprovechar al máximo la temporada sin gastar de más.
Para crear una lista de actividades de verano, piense en cosas que le gustaría hacer, como experiencias, metas o aventuras. Es una forma entretenida de ser intencional con su tiempo y de crear recuerdos significativos a lo largo de la temporada.
Les comparto algunas ideas económicas para mi lista de actividades de verano:
Una lista de actividades de verano con un presupuesto accesible también puede ser una excelente oportunidad para intentar algo nuevo o establecer una meta personal. Tal vez se trate de aprender una nueva habilidad, leer un libro que ha querido comenzar, o reconectar con amigos y familiares de una manera diferente. Escribir sus ideas puede ayudarle a priorizar las actividades que más le importan, al mismo tiempo que deja espacio para la espontaneidad y la flexibilidad.
Una de las mayores ventajas de tener una lista de actividades para el verano es que le anima a dar más importancia a las experiencias que al dinero. Un verano significativo no tiene que estar lleno de aventuras costosas. Algunos de los mejores recuerdos nacen de los momentos sencillos, de las nuevas experiencias, y del tiempo compartido con las personas y las actividades que más disfruta.
Summer is often associated with vacations, travel, and spending money. However, rising costs and busy schedules can sometimes make those plans difficult. The good news is that there are plenty of activities that are both enjoyable and budget friendly. Creating a summer bucket list can help you make the most of the season while staying within your budget.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
When looking for things to do in the summer months, I think of my favorite experiences and memories. Some were big, pricey events with lots of planning, and some cost next to nothing, were memorable for some reason, and were special for who I did them with.
This summer I’ll have close family visit me. Our primary goals are to spend time together and relax. Still, it’s the perfect opportunity to create an indulgent staycation for me and a fun vacation for them. They’ve already visited many times, so my goal is to do more of what we’ve enjoyed in the past and find new experiences for us to enjoy together.
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