About MSAA

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit organization and leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides free programs and services, such as: a Helpline with trained specialists; award-winning publications, including, The Motivator; MSAA’s nationally recognized website, featuring educational videos, webinars, and research updates; a mobile phone app, My MS Manager™; safety and mobility equipment products; cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals; MRI funding; My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online support forum; MS Conversations blog; a clinical trial search tool; podcasts; and more. For additional information, please visit www.mymsaa.org or call (800) 532-7667.

Busy as a Bee

Posted on May 20, 2020 by MSAA

By Scott Cremeans

We need to use every possible way to shield ourselves from the detrimental impacts of boredom. Here are some key ways to armor ourselves from the aggressive onslaught from the apathy of life. It is difficult not to be tempted by the siren song of the couch and the hypnotic flicker of the TV. The following tips may seem foolish and utterly superfluous but could help you find ways to keep busy and even boost your overall wellness.

When considering things to do to avoid Continue reading →

Finding Calm

Posted on May 15, 2020 by MSAA

By Lauren Kovacs

Minus some bad ideas, let’s cope with being stuck. Exploring new things can eat up time, no calories. I know the fridge and I are now best friends.

Try to find ways to keep busy. Read, put yourself in a “show hole” by watching something or do some yoga.

I take my scooter out and one of my sons walks with me around our neighborhood. Fresh air and Vitamin D does a body good. Soon it will be hot enough Continue reading →

Living the Best I Can in a Changed World

Posted on May 13, 2020 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

My goal is to not just make it through this pandemic, but to enjoy this time. I don’t want to wait for things beyond my control to change to be able to be happy, have fun, and be fulfilled.

If I wait for someday, I’ll miss now, and now may last a while. It’s unsettling to live with uncertainty and be required to change my normal routines. A lot of my routines have evolved over a long period of time to help keep me living as well as I do with multiple sclerosis. Uncertainty is a Continue reading →

Keeping Positive in Challenging Times

Posted on April 27, 2020 by MSAA

Hope is made for the day that tries your understanding, when your blessings can’t be counted and the sky has changed to darkness.

By Penelope Conway

Living with multiple sclerosis can be challenging. Add the required social distancing and it can make life a bit more complicated and interesting. My groceries are now delivered to my front door making it a bit more challenging to put everything away on my own, my doctors appointments are taking place on the phone keeping me on my toes to remember everything we need to talk about, physical therapy is Continue reading →

Being an M&M

Posted on April 20, 2020 by MSAA

By Doug Ankerman

They call THESE challenging times, huh?

Well they don’t know squat about those of us with multiple sclerosis!

They don’t know challenging until they button a shirt with MS “fumble fingers.”

They don’t know challenging until they enter a place with a door that opens out—while sitting in a wheelchair. Continue reading →

Keep the Piles Small and Reach Out in This Challenging Time

Posted on April 17, 2020 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

It’s tough right now living through a pandemic. I assume I’ll live through it, but many will not. I appreciate hearing from people who are having a hard time, because I’m glad they’re expressing themselves. I think the silent ones are sometimes the ones to worry about most.

When I think of everything I need to figure out, solve and do, it’s overwhelming: work while adapting to a state of emergency, isolate physically, help others in need, maintain Continue reading →

Pink Sparkles with Unicorns – Finding Connection

Posted on April 8, 2020 by MSAA

By Lauren Kovacs

Well here we are forced to be hermits with this virus going around. While embracing our inner hermit is just part of some MSers lives already, it is different when your inner hermit is forced to be a hermit. Having a choice to be a hermit is now not our choice.

In light of this, connections and support are essential. Sanity is imperative. Online or phone connections are all the rage. Face-to-face is Continue reading →

A Message to Our MS Community

Posted on March 27, 2020 by MSAA

To our clients, supporters, partners, colleagues, and the entire multiple sclerosis community:

We truly hope that you and your families are staying healthy and safe. All affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are in our hearts and minds every day. As the situation changes, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is also changing and we are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as federal and state officials. The continued health and safety for all affected by multiple sclerosis is critical to us. For those reasons, I wanted to share more about what MSAA is doing. Continue reading →

A Focus on Wellness

Posted on March 23, 2020 by MSAA

This March, MSAA hosted a number of online activities with a focus on wellness through The Mind, Body, and MS Connection campaign. Each online activity highlighted emotional, mental, or physical health concerns of the MS community.

This is a significantly stressful and anxious time for everyone, and that can make it difficult to focus on wellness. As MS Awareness Month comes to a close, Continue reading →

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By Scott Cremeans

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