The American Academy of Neurology’s (AAN) 65th Annual Meeting took place in San Diego, California in March. This large medical conference presents the latest findings in research and treatments for neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). MSAA has compiled important highlights from the meeting in the following article on mymsaa.org: https://www.mymsaa.org/news-msaa/871-aan-highlights-2013
Mother’s Day is almost here!
All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. – Abraham Lincoln
Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to honor the special mothers in your life. They could be your own mom, a sister, grandmother, daughter, friend, or co-worker. While these caring individuals deserve to be recognized every day, we can pause and give thanks on this very special day. Honor these special women with a donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). Your donation will enable us to fulfill our mission of improving lives today for the entire MS community. With each donation, you will have the option to send a personalized online card to the person being honored, letting her know of your support of MSAA.
Your gift supports vital services and support such as our toll-free Helpline, equipment distribution, MRI assistance, and more.
“Thank you so much for making such an impact on my summer. I have 4 kids and I have been able to do a lot with them this season because of the cooling vest. Even take them swimming in the humidity. I appreciate your kindness.”
– I. P., North Carolina
Please make your special Mother’s Day donation today! Improve lives today by honoring the special women in your life.
Happy Mother’s Day!
She brought you into this world. She changed diapers, fed you, and most importantly, coddled you when you needed it most. She watched you grow up; through years of school plays, sports games, dances and recitals. She held your hand to keep you safe. She offered a shoulder to cry on when things didn’t go right. She gave advice and words of wisdom, even when it wasn’t what you wanted to hear. She could be tough at times but only to help keep you in line. She always seemed to know when you were lying or trying to hide something. She listened to your stories, goals and hopes for the future. She tried to be a role model in hopes that one day you would offer the same guidance to your children. She raised you to take advantage of opportunities and make your own mark on the world, similar to the one she made by bringing you into it.
So this Mother’s Day, think of the things she did to help you grow and learn in order to become the person you are today. Maybe it was not a mother but with the help of a grandmother, an aunt, or a sister that you were able to grow surrounded by such care and devotion. Remember these moments of influence and care and not just on Mother’s Day, but every day. And remember to say “thank you.”
We have 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 new submissions.
May 2013 Artist of the Month:
Alexandr Rapoport – Palo Alto, CA
About the Artist
Alexandr was born in Moscow, Russia in 1972. He loved art from a very young age and took years of private lessons to prepare him for Stroganov University of Art, where he graduated in 1996. Since then, he has worked as an artist and a designer. His works were displayed at several exhibits in Moscow, and later in America. Alexandr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, but the disease didn’t decrease his interest in art, and he continues to draw as much as he can.
Spring is almost over and for those of us who have emptied our closets of all the winter wears; it is now time to get organized! Maintaining an organized lifestyle helps to manage the flow of the day, week, and/or month. If we view our lives as a greater whole, we are able to appropriately plan and make the best of our time. Getting organized also allows us to delegate some tasks to others as needed. If we know what is coming up, we can plan accordingly.
Here are some tips for starting your new organized lifestyle:
Utilize your time off: For many, the weekends offer solitude, a break from the day-to- day grind. The weekends can also offer an opportunity to get organized for the week. Start by planning out the meals for the week and laying out the clothes you wish to wear. By taking this extra step, you can potentially avoid stressful situations during the week and we could all use a little less stress!
Forget the “to-do” lists: Years ago my sister introduced me to the “ta-da” list, and it has forever changed my view of “lists”. To-do lists are negative in nature and can often add more stress than they intend. When you look at that long list of things to-do, it’s often a reminder of the things you didn’t do. Taking a more positive spin is the e “ta-da” list. After you have completed a task, you check it off and yell “TA-DA!” It may seem childish, but sometimes everyone needs a little pat on the back for all the things accomplished throughout the day!
One day at a time: Set specific tasks for each day of the week and try to stick with it. For example, select one section of your home to work on. Let’s say Monday’s are “kitchen” days. Think of all the things you do to maintain your kitchen and list them out: sweep, clean out fridge, de-clutter. Now time to delegate tasks; create a list for your spouse or children with their daily “tasks”. By doing these little things one day at a time, you avoid the all-day Saturday cleaning fest, which leaves you completely wiped and ruins the rest of your weekend.
Organization station: Create a place in your home to keep track of your “ta-da” list and “daily-task” sheet. Select a place that you know you will see often and actually use. I like to keep mine near the front door as a daily reminder to myself and family members when they come and go.
Organization doesn’t just happen overnight and can be a real challenge for many people. So make it your own, do what works for you and your family. I am interested in hearing how others stay organized and manage their lives. What do you do?