Multiple Sclerosis and Headaches

In his story “Does Multiple Sclerosis Cause Headaches?” posted on MutiplesSclerosis.net, author Matt Allen explores the correlation between MS and migraines. As someone with MS and also a migraine sufferer, he took notice as more and more attention was paid in the media to the possible correlation.

In his story, he cites a 2017 study that found that headaches are experienced by 78 percent of people newly diagnosed with MS.

This study alone is not enough to make a Continue reading

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The New You

By Doug Ankerman

Here is my car. My loyal steed. Thirteen years old with 145,000 hard-earned miles on the odometer. Showing more than its share of bumps and scrapes. Door dings. And a couple of rust spots. Inside the carpet is worn in places while the driver’s seat has a stain of a long, forgotten fast-food burger.

Acceptance, they call it.“Wait a minute, what does this have to do with MS?” you ask.

Well hear me out. Continue reading

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A Life with Multiple Sclerosis Has Taught Me the Importance of Letting Go of Yesterday

Life with multiple sclerosis means letting go.

By Penelope Conway

I have a problem with expecting too much from myself which in turn hurts me more than helps. This year I have made it my purpose to evaluate my life and simplify everything I’m doing as much as I can. Is that even possible? There are things I want to do, things I need to do, and things I need to let go of. Multiple sclerosis has definitely changed my perspective about everything in life.

Some of the top priorities for me are Continue reading

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3 Ingredient Banana Oat Muffins – Recipe of the Month

This recipe is a great breakfast option, snack idea, or an on-the-go treat. This easy, 3 ingredient banana oat muffins recipe is vegan, and made with no flour and no sugar. I make these muffins often and store in the refrigerator to have available when I need a quick pick me up any time of day!

Ingredients Continue reading

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How to Manage Your Expectations

As humans, we tend to expect a lot of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. You may currently be in the process of creating expectations for yourself or you may have already created them. Just remember that it’s important to manage your expectations in a way that’s going to be beneficial to you. We sometimes put these extremely high expectations on ourselves and then get discouraged or stressed when the expectations haven’t been met by the deadline we created. Continue reading

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The Changes in Me Since My MS Diagnosis: Kinship and Nurturing My Well-Being

By Stacie Prada

Experiencing life events and trauma can change a person. We all experience life milestones and challenges, yet they are so personal and timed differently for each of us that how we react or change is never the same. Losing a loved one or experiencing an illness is different when experienced as a child, a young adult or as an older adult. Our expectations and life skills are different at each point in our life, and what may be life changing for one may be life affirming for another.

As I reflect on how being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and living with symptoms has affected me, it’s difficult for me to Continue reading

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Old and New Me

By Lauren Kovacs

If you are like me, I try. Everyday is new. We have a “new me” daily. Some days we are the broken car in the garage and some days we are a strong engine.

On days your engine won’t turn over, don’t beat yourself up. We all have bad days. Some have really bad days. Try to hold on to something. Chocolate is meaty, but it makes things better.

I have had days that Continue reading

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Grieving the Old You, Embracing the New You

The “Gifts” in a Diagnosis

By Alene Brennan

There a lot of emotions you experience when you’re diagnosed with an incurable, neurological degenerative disease.

I remember shortly after my diagnosis of MS, I read an article that talked about patients grieving the loss of the life they had and the life they imagined.

It struck such a cord, because it’s how I was feeling.

What do I have to stop doing now?

I knew Continue reading

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Be Kind to Yourself

Is it just me, or does it seem like today’s society isn’t very forgiving or flexible with people? With its rushed, hastened pace and constant expectations on the daily, we live in a climate that thrives on accomplishments and results. It’s great to be productive and accountable to get things done at work and at home. But sometimes enough is enough. We’re only one being in this vast universe and there are times we can’t get everything accomplished in a day’s time. So not only do we Continue reading

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Patricia Heller – February 2020 Artist of the Month

Each year, MSAA features the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis in the annual MS Ability and Four Seasons Art Showcases, including highlighting one artist each month as our Artist of the Month. This month – our final month of the 2019-20 MS Art Showcase – we are proud to feature artist Patricia Heller of Sturgeon Bay, WI:

Magenta in Bloom by Patricia Heller MS Artist of the Month February 2020

“Magenta in Bloom”

About the Artist Continue reading

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