When living with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis, building a community for yourself of people who truly get it is incredibly valuable. Having a support network in your life of people who are there for you in easy times and hard can make all the difference. A support network can be made up of neighbors, friends, and family members you see regularly. And, with the variety of digital options, your support network can easily be found in virtual forums, like MSAA’s My MSAA Community.
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 Shana Stern as February’s Artist of the Month. Shana is from Los Angeles, CA.
Feels Like Lightning
Continue readingBy: Dr. Eva Jackson
For the past 15 years, members of my community have routinely organized vision board parties toward the end of the year or at the start of the new year, with an emphasis on goal setting. Personally, I have often felt uncomfortable during this period, as traditional goal setting has never resonated with me. I tend to set ambitious goals but frequently find myself unable to achieve them, despite starting with clear intentions. This recurring pattern leads me to believe that perhaps my goals are often unrealistic.
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Establecer metas es fácil, pero cumplirlas es donde empieza el verdadero reto. Muchas veces creemos que lograr un objetivo depende solo de la motivación, cuando en realidad también necesitamos organización, conocernos mejor y crear un ambiente que nos ayude. Asumir la responsabilidad de lograr nuestras metas no significa exigirnos perfección, sino construir hábitos que nos acerquen a la persona que queremos ser.
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Setting goals is easy, but holding ourselves accountable is where the real work begins. We often imagine that achieving a goal is simply about motivation, but it also involves structure, self-awareness, and creating the right environment. Accountability isn’t about pressure or perfection; it is about building habits that support the version of ourselves we are trying to become.
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Making overnight oats is simple and doesn’t require any cooking! This basic recipe can be customized to your liking with various add-ins and flavors.
Continue readingThe wheels have turned again, bringing us to the beginning of a brand-new year. This is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and identify the changes one would like to make this year to bring more growth and fulfillment to their life. Setting resolutions for yourself can give a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem when positive results are achieved.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
I created a vision board years ago that included images of women doing yoga poses I couldn’t do. I attended yoga classes weekly, and I loved how it combined calming breathwork with some of the gymnastics, athleticism, and flexibility that my multiple sclerosis issues had curtailed.
I placed the collage vision board near my makeup vanity, and I didn’t put a lot of effort into tracking it. About a year later, I looked up, and I was startled to realize I could do all the poses on my vision board! Without realizing it, I slowly worked my way toward poses that seemed completely out of reach a year prior. Dancer, feathered peacock, and crane pose had become regular movements in my yoga practice without any periodic notice or celebration. With this realization, my glee absolutely overflowed.
Looking back, I think about how dreaming and acknowledging my aspirations, combined with regularly showing up to yoga class, were the key. They helped me achieve things I hadn’t been convinced I would ever do.
Continue readingBy Angel Blair
I always considered myself a planner. I constantly made lists; I carefully thought out decisions, big or small, to get to the most optimal outcome. I loved comparing the pros and cons of possibilities for things to come. Though I have to say since having kids, the planner in me has changed a bit. I still try to plan and prepare the best that I can, but I’ve had to come to the very real fact that plans change – no matter how much you prepare otherwise.
Continue readingWe often talk about the “summer slide” when the heat wipes us out, but winter is just as complicated for our community. Some of us are celebrating the drop in temperatures, while others are dreading the daily pain. It really shows how different MS can be for everyone. We are all just trying to figure out how to handle the thermostat without losing our minds.
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