Unwind and Create: Find Your Calm Through Art

Finding balance in everyday life begins with recognizing what you need and giving yourself permission to prioritize it. Between daily responsibilities and the pressure to always be productive, it can be easy to overlook the signals your body sends when you need rest or a reset. Learning to listen to your body, set boundaries, and redefine productivity can help create space for your mental health and well-being. Sometimes, being productive means taking a step back, slowing down, and doing something just for yourself. Art can be one way to find that balance, offering an opportunity to unwind, express yourself, and reconnect with what brings you joy.

Whether you enjoy painting, drawing, photography, or digital art, making art can be a chance to slow down, express yourself, and focus on something that brings you joy. That is why the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) invites members of the MS community to participate in our annual Art Showcase!

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It’s a Balancing Act…

By Angel Blair

Let’s be honest – most of the time, it’s difficult to balance all the tasks everyday life requires. Finding time to complete a to-do list, work, and handle other daily activities can be daunting, and sometimes too much on the mind and body. We all encounter this pressure, and life just continues to dole out its expectations and duties. So how do you find that balance of taking care of yourself and completing what’s to be done?

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Ramona McCracken – MSAA’s October 2026 Artist of the Month

MSAA 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 Ramona McCracken as October’s Artist of the Month.  Ramona is from Fort Collins, CO.

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Deeply Rooted  

By Monica Proctor Wilson

Dear MS,

I began gardening five years ago, growing vegetables and fruits. Gardening is harder than I expected, but there is something about it that reminds me of who I am and how I got here. My roots formed long before you (MS), entered my life.

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Exploring My Roots: A Legacy of Grace and Community

By Dr. Eva Jackson


Each October, my family gathers to honor the traditions that connect our past, present, and future. Relatives travel from near and far to share stories, learn about those who came before us, create new memories, and help younger generations understand the history that shaped them. More than a reunion, this gathering is a celebration of heritage, belonging, and the bonds that hold us together.

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Family Roots and Branches

By Stacie Prada

To quote the band Talking Heads from the song Once in a Lifetime, “How did I get here?”

And why does it matter?

For my ancestors who died before I was born, I contributed absolutely nothing to what they did or who they were. I try not to take any unearned pride in their efforts. I have no idea if we would have even liked each other.

Still, I marvel at the many hardships they endured that brought my family to the United States and led me to be here.

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The Roots We Choose to Grow

By Dan and Jennifer Digmann

When we hear the word “roots,” we tend to gravitate toward where we came from. We think about our parents and grandparents, our hometowns, traditions, and family stories.

But maybe our roots are more than these.

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Brittany Brydges – MSAA’s September 2026 Artist of the Month

MSAA 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 Brittany Brydges as September’s Artist of the Month.  Brittany is from Riverside, NJ.

Hideaway

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Ask the Expert: Pain

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer

Headshot of doctor Barry Hendin, chief medical officer for MSAA
Barry Hendin, MD

Question: What are the common types of pain in MS and are they treated differently?

Answer: When people with MS experience the onset of pain as a new symptom, they generally ask “why” and “can you make it go away?” I’ll try to address both questions. Although it may oversimplify the subject of pain in multiple sclerosis, I think it’s helpful to think of two major types of pain: neurogenic and nociceptive pain.

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