Celebrate the sweetness of the season with this Strawberry Basil Bruschetta—a bright, flavorful dish that turns simple ingredients into something special. Perfect for July 4th gatherings, casual picnics, or anytime you want a light bite with a summery twist, this recipe pairs juicy seasonal strawberries with fresh basil and a hint of balsamic. It’s easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and elegant enough to impress, whether served as an appetizer, snack, or refreshing dessert.
Being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder comes with many challenges- one of the most common and often more difficult is learning to become your own advocate. More often than not, the people and healthcare professionals I encounter are not familiar with my condition, which frequently means they do not know the symptoms that accompany the diagnosis and the treatment options that work best for me. This is when speaking up for myself becomes vital.
Continue readingBy Samuel Fitch
The word advocate means “a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.” But when it comes to self-advocacy, it means something even more personal—speaking up for yourself when no one else can.
As I sit down to write this, I find myself in a unique place. On one hand, I’m celebrating a beautiful milestone: my daughter graduated from ministry school this week. On the other hand, I feel completely worn out. We spent 24 of the 72 hours on the road just getting to and from her graduation, and the exhaustion has caught up with me. Add in the personal demands of life, a career that requires a lot of me, and countless other responsibilities, and it’s no wonder I’m feeling drained.
But here’s what I’ve learned: it’s OK to speak up for yourself. It’s OK to set boundaries with your time. It’s OK to give yourself permission to rest. That is self-advocacy.
And for those of us living with something like MS, self-advocacy isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. After a diagnosis, the floodgates open. Well-meaning friends and family start offering opinions, articles, and advice. But being your own advocate means having confidence in the path you’ve chosen with your medical team. Even in the early days, when things aren’t going smoothly or symptoms don’t seem to improve, you have to trust your team—and yourself.
Being a self-advocate means standing firm in the face of uncertainty. It means honoring your own voice even when your body feels weak. It means saying, “I’m not OK right now,” and knowing that’s a powerful, healthy thing to do.
As I look at the picture of my wife and our four kids on the wall, I’m reminded how blessed I am to have a support system. But even with that support, I’ve learned to listen to my body when it says, “Enough.” And in those moments, I have to speak up—not just for my health, but for my future.
Because sometimes, the strongest thing you can do… is rest.
Living with multiple sclerosis often means navigating a complex healthcare system, where self-advocacy becomes essential. Recently, I experienced firsthand how crucial it is to stand up for yourself in medical settings.
About 6 months ago, I made the decision to switch to a new neurologist, mostly due to the cost of my annual MRIs. I did my research and found an MS specialist 1.5 hours away and decided to give him a try. I arrived at the office, was pre-screened, and all seemed well until the doctor came in and I found myself being questioned and patronized in a way I have never experienced in a medical setting (or any setting really). Despite living with MS since 2016, doing well on the same DMT for 6 years, and working for MSAA for the past 3 years, the doctor asked me to justify my treatment and explain its benefits in detail before he was willing to continuing the conversation. I never received a physical examination, he never once asked about my lifestyle, and the entire interaction felt like a test. I guess I passed because he did end up ordering my next MRI and continuing with the same treatment path I was already on. The experience left me feeling unheard and disrespected.
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 Vanessa Willison as June’s Artist of the Month. Vanessa is from Dorchester, NE.
“Untitled”
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
If I could talk to my younger self, I know she’d be surprised, excited, proud, and likely a bit skeptical to learn that I’ve genuinely found fulfillment in imperfection.
I was a very timid and quiet child. I feared making mistakes, looking dumb, and not doing things right. I tried to avoid any possibility that I’d do something to be ridiculed or judged negatively.
I visibly shook throughout a presentation on candle-making to my fourth-grade class. It was torture to be the center of attention in a classroom. A high school presentation of a memorized poem wasn’t much better. Neither my nine-year-old self nor my 15-year-old self would ever have imagined that someday I would frequently present with confidence to large groups. Young me would be amazed that I overcame my fear of public speaking. People who have only known me for the last 10 years would not believe I was ever that shy and fearful.
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De vez en cuando, me enfrento a retos que me recuerdan lo mucho que he madurado a lo largo de los años. He comprendido que los retos son oportunidades de crecimiento personal y que algunos contratiempos son bendiciones inesperadas. Mirando al pasado, mi yo más joven jamás habría imaginado lo fuerte y capaz que llegaría a ser.
Continue readingOnce in a while, I face challenges that remind me just how much I’ve grown over the years. I’ve come to understand that challenges are actually opportunities for personal growth—and that some setbacks are blessings in disguise. Looking back, my younger self could never have imagined how resilient I would become.
She would be proud of how much my perspective has shifted as I’ve grown older and wiser. I used to cling so tightly to people, places, and things that I ended up suffocating the very opportunities life was offering me—to explore, to learn, and to flourish in unfamiliar territory. It was hard to say no to things that drained my energy and happiness. But over time, I’ve learned that while life can be unpredictable and full of obstacles, I have the power to choose my perspective. And today, I choose to believe in myself and trust that I can handle whatever comes my way.
Continue readingLife is one roller coaster of a ride. I realize that each life experience has a mix of emotions attached to it. At this point in life, I think I have experienced it all – anger, frustration, joy, happiness, embarrassment, peace, sadness, laughter, grief, and so forth. I have been overwhelmed many times, not knowing how to handle it all.
Having a good support system has always been my foundation, and it has helped me get through those tough times. I am proud of the little victories and the small successes that I have encountered in my journey through life.
Continue readingCool, crisp, and effortlessly refreshing, sparkling cucumber mint lemonade is the perfect sip to celebrate Memorial Day. As the unofficial start of summer, this holiday calls for light, hydrating drinks that can be enjoyed in the sunshine—and this one delivers with a burst of citrus, cooling cucumber, and garden-fresh mint. It’s a family-friendly crowd-pleaser, making it an ideal addition to any backyard cookout or picnic gathering.