Beating the Heat with MS: Lessons from the Walk-In Freezer

Posted on July 9, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

Before my multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, I never understood why I always felt so warm—especially compared to others. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to work in my family’s restaurant. One unexpected benefit? A built-in cooling station. On particularly hot days, the walk-in freezer or refrigerator offered immediate relief when my body felt overwhelmed by the heat.

Like many of my fellow MS warriors, managing body temperature—especially in the heat—is a constant challenge. For me, warm weather isn’t just uncomfortable; it can completely derail my ability to function the next day. It’s frustrating because, here in Western New York, beautiful sunny days are few and far between. When I miss them, I feel guilty. I want to be outside enjoying them with my family—but sometimes, the risk just isn’t worth it.

So what’s my advice for managing the heat when you live with MS?

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April Yamamura – MSAA’s July 2025 Artist of the Month

Posted on July 2, 2025 by MSAA

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 April Yamamura as July’s Artist of the Month. April is from Niagara Falls, NY.

“Summer Scene”

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Ask the Expert: Heat Sensitivity

Posted on June 30, 2025 by MSAA

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Barry Hendin, MD

Question: What are the symptoms of heat sensitivity in MS, and how is it best treated?

Answer: Heat sensitivity, also known as Uhthoff’s Phenomenon, describes an increase in MS symptomatology caused by overheating. This could be due to external influences, when a person with multiple sclerosis is in an excessively hot environment. Alternatively, this can relate to an internal increase in body temperature due to exercise or infection with fever. Sometimes, of course, it’s a combination of the two when people are exercising in an overheated environment.

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Speaking Up Is Self Care

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Emily

Speaking up. Standing up for myself. These are all things that you learn as you grow and mature in life. Advocating for my health though, piece of cake. I know my body like no one else. I understand how my body responds, reacts, and refuses.

When I think of self-advocating for myself, I also think of speaking up not just in the medical sense, but also when something, or someone is not filling my cup. I think back on all of the instances in my younger adult life, and get angry with myself for not speaking up to say “no, my body cannot afford to go out tonight.” Or simply say something along the lines of “I’m sorry you don’t understand why I put my body and my health first, but it’s necessary for me to stay healthy.”

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Self-Advocacy: Challenges, Tips, Mentors and Allies

Posted on June 25, 2025 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Self-advocacy is hard work. We’re likely advocating for ourselves in tiny ways all the time, and we don’t notice when there’s little to no resistance. Frustration grows when we meet opposition and live with pain and unmet needs.

Barriers to self-advocating: Sometimes, I don’t know what I need, I’m unsure of what resources exist that could help, or I’m not being heard by those who could help me. Even if they want to help, they might not know how.

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El arte de pedir lo que necesita

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Claudia Chavez

Me he dado cuenta de que aprender a pedir lo que necesito es todo un arte. Mientras que para algunas personas es algo que resulta natural, a otros les resulta difícil expresarlo con palabras. Abogar por nosotros mismos requiere autoconciencia, claridad y práctica, y afortunadamente estas habilidades se pueden aprender y fortalecer con el tiempo.

Por naturaleza, los seres humanos buscamos la conexión humana y el sentido de comunidad. Abogar por nosotros mismos y pedir lo que necesitamos puede parecer riesgoso porque conlleva el miedo de ser rechazados, descartados o vistos como demasiado demandantes o difíciles. Sin embargo, todos tenemos una necesidad innata de sentirnos escuchados, validados y comprendidos.

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The Art of Asking for What You Need

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Claudia Chavez

I’ve realized that learning to ask for what I need is an art form. While this may come naturally to some, others may find it difficult to put into words. Advocating for ourselves takes self-awareness, clarity, and practice — but the good news is that these skills can be learned and strengthened over time.

At our core, humans are wired for connection and belonging. Advocating for ourselves and asking for what we need can feel risky because it carries the fear of being rejected, dismissed, or seen as “too much,” “too needy,” or “difficult.” And yet, we all have an innate need to feel heard, validated, and understood.

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Power of Empowerment

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Teena Palathanam

There are a lot of uncertainties one must face while battling MS, and its symptoms vary widely among individuals. For newly diagnosed individuals, this can be a scary and unsettling journey without knowing what to expect down the road. Below are a few things you can suggest to someone who has been recently diagnosed with MS:

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When It Comes Time to Pay the MS Tax

Posted on June 18, 2025 by MultipleSclerosis.net

We all know the feeling. That surge of energy, the desire to participate, to feel “normal” for a while. Whether it’s attending a family gathering, tackling a long-awaited household project, or simply enjoying a few hours out with friends, those with multiple sclerosis (MS) often seize these moments with both hands.

But as many in our community understand all too well, this activity often comes with a significant price: the dreaded “MS tax.”

Here is what our community members had to say about how they deal with physical and mental exhaustion after overexerting themselves.

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Strawberry Basil Bruschetta

Posted on June 16, 2025 by Melissa Young

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.

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