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
Continue readingFeaturing Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
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.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
Every MS diagnosis begins with a different story. For me, the diagnosis brought an unexpected sense of relief. After seven long years of searching for answers, I finally had a name for what was going on with my body. But that relief came with weight. The journey to diagnosis can be lonely, costly, exhausting, and filled with questions about the future. In the beginning, learning that you have an incurable disease affecting your nervous system can feel as if the world around you are still moving while your own world has come to an abrupt stop.
Continue readingBy Dan and Jennifer Digmann
To us, community is more than a group of people who happen to live in the same town, attend the same church, share an interest, or know our story.
Community is the people who show up.
They celebrate with us when life is good, stand beside us when life is difficult, and remind us that we never have to navigate life completely alone.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
When I think of my community, I first think of where I live, my friends and neighbors who will show up for me, and those I’m compelled to show up for. In times of crisis, a surge of community help is noticeable. A call to action is made, and people rise to the occasion.
Continue reading“I am so grateful for this community and the wonderful people here. It has been life-changing for me to have so much support, be able to help others, and to find great resources. Bravo, MSAA!”
-My MSAA Community member
This year, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is recognizing a very special milestone: the 10th anniversary of our online forum, My MSAA Community!
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 Benjamin Roma as August’s Artist of the Month. Benjamin is from Seattle, WA.
Continue readingBy Dr. Eva Jackson
Have you ever wanted to free yourself from your daily routine, but an elaborate vacation was not within your budget? Maybe your family and friends do not have the time for a weeklong travel itinerary, or maybe you simply need a quick break without all the planning, packing, and expense that usually comes with traveling. Something unplanned can still feel refreshing, exciting, and meaningful. A staycation, a skill-cation, or even a bae-cation can all give you the feeling of taking a vacation without requiring you to go far from home. All these new terms for vacation can be included in the simple decision to slow down, step away from everyday stress, and enjoy a staycation.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
When looking for things to do in the summer months, I think of my favorite experiences and memories. Some were big, pricey events with lots of planning, and some cost next to nothing, were memorable for some reason, and were special for who I did them with.
This summer I’ll have close family visit me. Our primary goals are to spend time together and relax. Still, it’s the perfect opportunity to create an indulgent staycation for me and a fun vacation for them. They’ve already visited many times, so my goal is to do more of what we’ve enjoyed in the past and find new experiences for us to enjoy together.
Continue readingBy Nicole Robinson
Summer looks a little different when you are living with multiple sclerosis. The heat, the fatigue, the unpredictability of symptoms – it all factors into how I plan, what I commit to, and how I protect my energy while still enjoying the season. Over the years I have learned that a meaningful summer does not require a big budget or an ambitious itinerary. It requires intention. And a little planning ahead never hurts either.
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