Hello! My name is Diana Cruz-Beniquez, and I am the Manager of Public Relations and Engagement at MSAA. I received my Bachelor of Science in Communication with a specialization in Advertising and Promotions from Southern Connecticut State University. I also own a party and event planning business called MADE Creations with my two sisters. In my free time, I love doing escape rooms, visiting new places (restaurants, museums, etc.), watching movies, and laughing with my husband, family, and friends.
As the temperature continues to rise and the sun continues to shine this summer season, we may find ourselves making lifestyle adjustments to accommodate the heat. Here at the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), we recognize how crucial it is to manage MS symptoms while still enjoying life, especially during this time of year. Our recent webinar, “Summer Wellness Tips for Life with MS,” was designed to provide helpful summer tips and empowerment for the MS community.
Being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder comes with many challenges- one of the most common and often more difficult is learning to become your own advocate. More often than not, the people and healthcare professionals I encounter are not familiar with my condition, which frequently means they do not know the symptoms that accompany the diagnosis and the treatment options that work best for me. This is when speaking up for myself becomes vital.
If I could sit across from my 13-year-old-self right now, I think she’d stare at me wide eyed, somewhere between disbelief and admiration. Not because I’ve “figured it all out,” which I most certainly haven’t, but because I’ve kept and continue to keep going, even when I don’t know how.
I was 13 when I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome, an extremely rare autoimmune disorder that even many healthcare professionals to this day are confused by. At an age when most kids were worried about what to wear to school or how to pass their next quiz, I was learning how to pronounce the name of my condition and what it meant to live in a body that didn’t always feel like my own. There were many hospital visits and medications accompanied by a laundry list of side effects, and a lifelong experience of learning how to advocate for myself in a room full of doctors that barely know what’s going on in your body. That girl – the one with the IV in her arm and hope in her heart – she had no idea how strong she really was. But she kept going anyway. And I kept going too.
Spring is officially in bloom, and with that comes a sense of renewal and fresh beginnings. The new, warm season is the perfect opportunity to embrace a clean slate and positive energy. Whether it’s decluttering your home, prioritizing health and wellness, or taking a step back for some relaxation and self-care, now is a great time to start anew and focus on things that bring you joy!
This spring, I have challenged myself to prioritize overall wellness. This means, I am striving to put in extra energy towards eating well and consuming whole foods, remaining consistent with exercise, going for more walks, spending quality time with loved ones, and focusing on what brings me overall happiness and health. Especially when dealing with an autoimmune disease, I’ve found that it’s so important to put energy into enriching aspects of life: nutrition, health, loving connections, and happiness in the small things. With that being said, I have decided to make my personal challenge a fun one by creating my own spring bingo card!
There are so many aspects of life that can continuously change: your job position, friends, family, romantic relationships, your environment. But there is one thing that always remains: You. We often forget that we have a relationship with ourselves and how we nurture that can affect many other aspects of our lives.
The relationship you have with yourself is one that you carry with you every day and everywhere. Your thoughts, emotions, sense of identity, perspective on yourself and your connection to the world will ultimately affect your perspective on life and the various situations and relationships you encounter. A positive relationship with yourself is the foundation to a positive relationship with the world and people around you. But how do you determine what type of relationship you have with yourself? By asking yourself a few questions, you may be able to weave together the bigger picture.
This time of year is often conveyed as a fresh start – the perfect time to change habits and set new goals to better oneself. Although the new year does bring the opportunity to begin a new chapter, it also tends to create a false sense of what is attainable versus what is realistic. Whether you partake in setting resolutions or not, it can be beneficial to reflect upon one’s habits and think about how they align with the person you want to be in general – not just this year. As I sat down and took some time at the beginning of this year to reflect on the things I want to personally accomplish, I kept a few guidelines in mind:
Every year, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) highlights the artistic talents of the MS community in our digital Art Showcase. We have received many wonderful submissions from individuals with MS across the country and are delighted to invite the community to participate once again in MSAA’s 2025-2026 Art Showcase.
Now until January 10, 2025, individuals with MS are encouraged to submit up to three works of visual art along with their personal stories to be highlighted in MSAA’s 2025-2026 Art Showcase. We welcome various types of art including paintings, drawings, photography, and more. To participate, please visit MSAA’s Call for Submissions webpage, or email us at showcase@mymsaa.org.
Eligibility:
To enter, you must have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and provide a doctor’s verification of your diagnosis. Please note that if you are a returning artist for MSAA’s Art Showcase, you can disregard this step.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older as of the date of entry and must be legal residents of the United States.
All entrants must submit a signed Release Form. This can be completed online or printed and emailed to showcase@mymsaa.org.
Please be sure to read through all Art Showcase rules and release form requirements prior to submitting your work.
Eligible submissions will be featured on MSAA’s website beginning in March 2025 in recognition of MS Awareness Month. Throughout the year, 12 artists and their work will be highlighted as Artists of the Month. To view submissions from previous Art Showcases, please visit our online gallery.
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness. However, for many, it can also bring about a wave of negative emotions. Whether it’s due to the pressures of gift-giving, family dynamics, or the reminder of past losses, this certain time can sometimes feel overwhelming. As a person who tends to get overstimulated easily, especially around the many people and activities that accompany the occasion, I have compiled a few tips that may relieve negative emotions this season:
The change in season can bring about so many wonderful things, like the feeling of a fresh start, new experiences, and the opportunity to partake in certain activities that only occur during certain parts of the year – like pumpkin picking, haunted hayrides, and attending fall festivals. Although I am a big fan of season change and participating in its many exciting aspects, I can also fall into the feeling of decreased energy or motivation, under or over stimulation around the holidays, and fatigue from lack of sunlight or shorter days. When feelings like this arise, I find comfort in activities that allow me to express myself in new and creative ways. Here are some fall and winter activities that bring me joy that I encourage others to try!
In today’s busy and overwhelming world of daily tasks, practicing self-care can feel like a luxury reserved for those who have more time. With a number of commitments and responsibilities taking priority, it’s easy for self-care and enhancing one’s mental health to take a backseat. However, what some do not realize is that caring for one’s mental and physical health is essential to maintaining overall well-being and productivity. I asked our AI friend Chat GPT for some advice on how to prioritize mental health whilst having a busy schedule. Here are some action steps that were provided:
