Ok fine!
I admit that denial of MS and its friends mental and physical stress is a battle. They go together and share equal importance. One affects the other. I had unknowingly adopted both.
Years of mental struggle and talk-therapy led me to medication eventually. I am not one to rely on pills. I try several options, before I let pills win. Anti-depressants are, for me, a must now.
I take a teeny-tiny dose, but it helps. It gets Continue reading
When I was diagnosed with MS, I was in a complete fog.
The diagnosis came by surprise and it was just six weeks after my mother passed from cancer.
Talk about a wave of emotions.
I was sad. I was angry. I was frustrated. I was lonely. I was overwhelmed.
While I wasn’t sure exactly how, I knew that these emotions were affecting my health. If I wanted to be on a path to healing, Continue reading
As a kid growing up, February was a pendulum that swung from far left to right. We’re still in winter and that means snow, but you still have to go to school in the cold. It’s a shorter month so one step closer to spring but it’s still dark earlier in the evening. It’s Black History Month which is big and important, but feels the same every year.
Now that last one I’m sure can go either way with the masses (I’m well aware and that’s ok). Growing up as the only black face in most of my classes and many of my activities, could make February an extremely exhausting month. I found myself Continue reading
Milkshake lovers will love this creamy, delicious strawberry milkshake. The flavors of fresh strawberries mixed with vanilla ice cream and white chocolate is refreshing and yummy. It is the perfect treat to share on Valentine’s Day with someone you love! Continue reading
I don’t think many people take time for themselves nowadays. I think our society has this rushed, always do, on the go mentality that skews our perception of what is important and what should take priority. For many it’s a natural and human characteristic to want to be a people-pleaser and do for others much of the time. But I think our sense of self gets lost in this and Continue reading
By Kelsey LawrenceThe other day I was sitting, reading on my phone in one of the comfy recliners at my local infusion center while my intravenous drugs dripped steadily in to my IV port. The piercing sound of a bell broke through the relative silence and soft murmurs of the room. A man had received his last chemo treatment for his cancer. Applause broke out in the room, we were all so happy for him. He had reached the finish line of his disease.
But, this got me thinking. I will never, unless something drastic Continue reading
MSAA is very proud to present the final piece in our 2018-19 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), like Patricia (below) who is a Wisconsin artist with multiple sclerosis.
We received many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share their work and their stories with you. Please visit our online gallery to view all of the submissions…and get ready next month for a new MS Art Showcase for 2019!
| Patricia Heller – Sturgeon Bay, WI Sunlight Blossoms |
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About the Artist
“Diagnosed twelve years ago, my life dramatically changed.
As the years have gone on, I have become better at both watercoloring and handling MS. With painting, I have learned to watch the movement of the water and the paint and capture it to create the images I intend. With MS symptoms, I have learned to listen to what my body is telling me and then use everything I have learned to manage MS.”
The invisible disease. The silent struggle. Unlike other diseases, Multiple Sclerosis can largely present only internally, mainly as pain and fatigue. This, in turn, creates an entirely new kind of pain—the pain of being alone in suffering. When others don’t know what is wrong, or can’t fully understand what it is like to live with MS day in and day out, most living with the diagnosis often forgo speaking up, and instead, learn to cope quietly.
But you don’t need to be quiet here. Continue reading
Almost a month into 2019 and thank God all the chatter about resolutions and fresh starts is winding down.
The reason my undies are in a bunch about this topic is because resolutions fail and fresh starts, though better, are often postponed. Continue reading
We are in the time of year that we hear many top ten countdowns. These top charts rank everything from music to cell phones and from movies to kitchen equipment. Here are some of my own top things in my life. Of course, I will not be saying goodbye to these items unless something better comes along. As for these irreplaceable items in my life, there is a bountiful list and here are seven.
Let me start with my wheeled chariot. Without this magical manual mechanism Continue reading