The 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 reading
By 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.
Continue readingMSAA 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 Elizabeth Rash as January’s Artist of the Month. Elizabeth is from Winter Park, FL.
Self Portrait: A Girl Freed from MS
Continue readingFeaturing Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Barry Hendin, MD
Question: What should care partners do if they suspect depression in their loved one with MS, and what are the treatment options?
Answer: Like other medical illnesses, depression is often a shared experience between the person experiencing it and their care partner. It’s helpful to be an empathetic listener and supporter, rather than believing that it’s up to you to fix it.
Continue reading2025 has been a memorable year. As the year sped by, it is worth reflecting and remembering both the good and the bad moments. It gives me an opportunity to assess the flaws on my side and a chance to examine the areas I can possibly improve for the next year. Looking back, it was a year filled with interesting experiences and valuable life lessons.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve been reminded of this year is the importance of holding onto hope, even when everything around me feels overwhelming. Hope means moving forward one step at a time, celebrating small victories, and embracing setbacks as part of the journey toward the life you envision and the goals you want to achieve. It is a calm assurance that, no matter how bleak things may seem at times, there is always light waiting at the end of the tunnel.
Looking back on this year, I am grateful for the opportunities I got to learn and grow personally as well as professionally. I am grateful for the family that stands by me and appreciative of friends that value our connection. I have come to accept the fact that life is most fulfilling when it is welcomed with open arms, irrespective of the countless obstacles along the way. As I navigate this journey, it continues to be unpredictable and exhilarating at the same time. Here’s to moving onward and forward!
As we approach the season of giving, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) would like to bring special attention to the many wonderful community members that we serve. With our mission of Improving Lives Today, MSAA genuinely strives to advocate for and prioritize the well-being of all individuals who have been affected by multiple sclerosis. Over the years, we have collaborated with so many inspiring people, and we are honored to be able to highlight their stories.
In the spirit of the holiday season, we would like to share the heartfelt story of mother and son, Monica and Brian, who both live with multiple sclerosis.
“I’ve learned that in any situation, if you are not advocating for yourself, you’re not going to get anything. My name is Monica Proctor Wilson, and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on my 40th birthday after spending several years seeking answers to my symptoms. For four or five years, doctors kept saying that it was fatigue, and that I was overworked and needed to take a break. I believed it was multiple sclerosis, and I started asking about it. People would ask me, ‘Why would you want MS?’ I did not want MS. I just wanted to know what was going on with me,” Monica shared.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
December is the perfect time to reflect on how the past year measured up to hopes and goals. In January, I created a 2025 Bingo card that reflected various priorities I have. It proved useful and motivating as I checked in throughout the year. In November, I created a second Bingo card for the holidays that featured more self-care items, and it added a lot of value to my life. I didn’t complete every item on either of the Bingo cards, but I did a lot more of them than I think I would have without them.
Things I accomplished this year:
1. Dry January – 30 days with no alcohol.
2. Read three books – this one I exceeded greatly with the help of my local library.
3. Virtual painting party & complete a paint-by-numbers: This was a really fun project. I had a paint-by-numbers created from a photograph of my sisters and me. I gifted it to each of them for Christmas last year, and the plan was to have a virtual painting party, complete with berets and a photo op. It was a lot of fun, and now I have a really cool painting of us!
Continue readingThis easy and festive recipe for classic Holiday Rice Krispie Treats is a crowd pleaser. You can add fun toppings such as red and green M&Ms and holiday sprinkles or any additional toppings you might like.
