Motherhood and MS

We all know a mother or mother-like figure in our life who demonstrates selflessness, resilience, and strength in all that they do. Mothers with multiple sclerosis especially, take on the unique challenge of navigating symptoms and flare ups, while also balancing being a mom.

Overcoming challenges as a mother with multiple sclerosis can be demanding, but also rewarding. It can become a balancing act between self-care and caring for your family, leaning on support, and being adaptable to accommodate flares and symptoms.

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Navigating Life with MS without My Mother

By: Stacie Prada

This is my truth. If my mom hadn’t died when she did, she would have been a comfort and helper when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and felt so alone. She would have made a difference in millions of ways, but I’ll focus here on how being motherless relates to my MS. 

I was diagnosed 15 years after my mom died.  In hindsight, I’m certain that following her death I had an MS exacerbation characterized by extreme fatigue, depression, and surprising clumsiness. At the age of 23, I was executrix for her estate. It was a monumental responsibility organizing her funeral, managing her finances and legal affairs, selling her home, and dealing with everything a life suddenly cut short entails. 

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Grilled Shrimp Skewers

These grilled shrimp skewers deserve a place at your Memorial Day cookout. Marinated in a yummy lemon and garlic mixture, they’re packed with flavor. Plus, they come together in a snap making them the perfect addition to any grilled menu.

15-20 minutes is all the time you will need to prepare them!

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Growing Pains

When you become a parent, it feels like you are running on a racetrack. Rushing to doctor’s appointments, having to take time off work when they are sick, driving them to activities, non-stop cooking and huge piles of laundry seem like never-ending tasks. As they grow older, it is a whole new ball game. There is a different type of challenge for each phase from infancy to adulthood. Let’s admit it, some days it may feel like you are losing your mind with the stress.

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Motherhood: An Inspiring Journey

Motherhood is a profound journey that embodies selflessness, nurturing and unwavering love. As I reflect on this extraordinary role, I am inspired by the remarkable mothers in my life, particularly my own mother, who has been a guiding light and a source of love and strength. Though I have yet to embark on the journey of motherhood myself, I am in awe of the physical and emotional changes mothers endure and the instant, profound love they share with their children.

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Reflections on Motherhood & MS 

By Kate

My journey to motherhood was pushed into warp speed when I was diagnosed 8 years ago. In 2014, I had just gotten married and started having vision and grip issues which led to my eventual diagnosis of MS. Before any treatment was considered, my initial doctor (a lovely human) asked what it was I wanted for my life. I told him I wanted to be a mom. His response: “GREAT! You have 8 months to get pregnant, and if you don’t, I suggest we start treatment and reassess how and when to stop treatment in order to try again in the future.” This was good news, but like, no pressure, right?  

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Alas de crianza

Los cuidados y el confort que proporcionan las madres son un privilegio. Para quienes han tenido una figura materna, es fácil ver el impacto que ha tenido en su crianza. Las figuras maternas representan gentileza y el amor puro, pero también representan protección, ya que son feroces al proteger a sus hijos. La maternidad es un camino de amor y sacrificio. Implica cambios físicos, un torbellino emocional, expectativas sociales y un cambio de identidad. Independientemente de la edad de sus hijos, las madres siempre serán madres.

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Nurturing Wings

The care and comfort provided by mothers is a privilege. For those with a strong mother figure, it is easy to see how impactful their nurturing has been. Mother figures often represent gentleness and selfless love, but they also represent protectors and providers, fierce and relentless in protecting their young. At its core, motherhood is a journey of love and sacrifice. It involves physical changes, an emotional whirlwind, social expectations, and a complete identity shift. The juggling act commences, and it never really ends. Regardless of how old their children get; mothers will always be mothers. 

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Mother: Noun, Adjective, Verb

The word “mother” can suggest various definitions. Being a mother implies embodying the role of a parent or guardian, while the act of mothering implies providing nurture, affection, and comfort. The word “mother,” whether it be the noun, adjective, or verb, captivates endless emotions and interpretations, all individualized to one’s experience.

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Advice for Friends and Family Supporting Someone Receiving an MS Diagnosis

When a loved one receives a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), learning how to support them is vital. To learn what type of support people living with MS most value, we asked the MultipleSclerosis.net community:

“What advice would you give to friends and family who want to support someone receiving an MS diagnosis?”

The community shared lots of helpful insights!

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