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 Amanda Chavez as October’s Artist of the Month. Amanda is from Anthem, AZ.
Gato Luna
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By Monica Proctor Wilson
Self-care is not selfish.
Self-care is self-love.
It took me many years to not only understand that self-care was not selfish, but self-care was self-love and to also accept this. Of course, I had to learn the hard way. For years, I was the person burning the candle at both ends… and in the middle. I made sure everyone else was taken care of, I checked all the boxes, and I filled in all the roles. My personal theme song was “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan, which I played on repeat in my head. Say amen if you relate.
Then reality hit me. Hard. One day at work, I ran out of spoons before the day even started. I had a relapse due to complete exhaustion and extreme fatigue. After a coworker drove me home, I crawled into bed screaming “I don’t have time for a relapse!! I have to make dinner and be ready for the kids to get home to help with homework.” After taking a quick 16-hour nap, I woke the next morning to find dishes in the sink and clothes on the floor… and you know what? Life kept moving while I was resting and the world had not ended. The earth did not spin off its axis and I did not get sucked into another universe.
That was the “Ah-Ha” moment that I realized something had to change. I decided to take one day each month to do absolutely nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing. I marked the date on the calendar so everyone knew I would not be available for events, errands, or obligations. That day was reserved for me to sleep, get a massage, binge-watch shows, or literally watch the paint dry on the wall. My body would decide.
My first attempt left me with feelings of complete guilt. It was difficult ignoring that voice in my head suggesting I was letting my family down. But after several attempts, the guilt turned into something else: a requirement that I would set for myself. A promise that I would take time to refresh, rewind, and release.
That was many years ago. My children are now grown, and my husband understands my promise to myself. But each month, I continue scheduling my mental health day because that’s what my body requires. A chance to recharge before the fatigue, stress, or symptoms stack up and force me to rest the hard way.
Living with MS means we don’t always get to choose how our bodies feel day-to-day. But we can choose to respect our limits and plan recovery time before we crash. By putting a mental health day on the calendar, I shifted from reacting to my body’s emergencies to proactively giving it what it needs.
I know understand that self-care isn’t selfish…It’s self-love. It’s about survival and strength. Taking care of yourself allows you to give more to others. Remember the airline rule: mask on you first, then others.
If you’ve been pushing yourself beyond the limits, burning your candle at both ends, or just need time to recharge, consider this your permission slip to rest. I challenge you to schedule a day on the calendar that belongs only to you. No apologies. No guilt. It may be difficult, and the first attempt may only last 3 hours. But try again and again until you are able to refresh, rewind and release. You have my permission.
I’m Monica Proctor Wilson, and I’ve been living with multiple sclerosis for 19 years. I facilitate a self-help group called SPEAK MS, where we Share Personal Experience and Knowledge of MS, connect, and keep each other uplifted. I’m also an MS advocate and serve on the Government Relations Advisory Council, working to make sure the voices of people with MS are heard at every level. In 2023, I was honored to receive the National MS Society’s Inspiration Award. My passion is helping others find strength, purpose, and community while navigating life with MS.
By Stacie Prada
Life is full of distractions, disruptions, deadlines, and despair. Yet we go on. Sometimes we’re strong and excited, and other times we struggle. The measure of success isn’t an imaginary idea of being perfect. Whether we lead, push, pull, or fall short, it’s success to keep showing up and trying.
The ability to focus helps with test-taking, achievement, and success, yet what to focus on and when to focus are up to us in each moment.
What does it mean to focus? Often, it’s paying attention, limiting distractions, and concentrating. Do I have to push so hard all the time? Maybe not.
Continue readingBy Samuel Fitch
When we think of the word reset, we often picture restarting a computer or a phone. Most problems on a device can be fixed with a simple restart. But when it comes to us—our physical, human selves—we don’t have that option. We can’t just shut down and start over.
What we can do, however, is reset.
Sometimes that means taking a few moments to clear your mind, breathe with intention, and refocus on the task at hand.
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 Karen Pagen Cruz as September’s Artist of the Month. Karen is from Manchester, NH.
Grounded Roots
Continue readingFeaturing Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer
Question: In what ways are exercise, environment, and equipment involved with balance for individuals with MS?
Continue readingBy Monica Proctor Wilson
Hi warrior friends,
After living with MS for 18 years, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of building a safety net. I always encourage MS friends to: 1) Research their choice of DMT’s, 2) Find a Neurologist that specializes in MS, 3) Keep a Mental Health provider, and 4) Build a Safety Net.
Step 1- Understanding My Safety Net:
Safety net can mean different things to different people. Before I could start building my safety net, I went to the definition:
Safety net (noun): something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty.
At first, I thought I already had one. I had family and friends that loved me. After the first year, the “Let me know if you need anything” texts faded. Not because they didn’t care, but because MS is complicated—emotionally, physically, and invisibly. I realized not everyone could truly understand what I was going through. 🧡 This isn’t about blame. It’s about recognizing who I needed in my safety net.
Continue readingBy Stacie Prada
Back-up plans and safety nets ease my worries. If I know I have options and support, my stresses for the future can be put on the back burner.
Which safety nets do I have control over? Which are vulnerable and might not be reliable? How strong are my safety nets, and where are the gaps?
Continue readingBy Dr Eva Jackson
Let us take a moment and go back into time. Remember your life before multiple sclerosis. Now stop and take a big breath as you let your memories unfold. You may visualize the days of going to a theme park and riding all the rides, or running on a sandy beach, just having fun. The days before watching your steps to ensure that there were not any barriers that would create a fall hazard or looking at the handicap parking spaces at your local grocery store to ensure that you did not have far to walk.
Now smile, because if you can visualize this, just know that you are not alone. Most of us are very independent people. People who never relied on others when making plans to go places. Independent individuals who very seldom had to go to the doctor regularly or spent days researching healthcare plans because this work was often done by your jobs.
As you think about those days, I will tell you a little secret. I have not been to a Christmas parade in over 5 years. During my last parade, I experienced several falls and sustained a shoulder fracture the next year. The risk is not worth the fulfillment of watching a parade in person.
Now MS has created a need in you to find safety nets in your home, communities, and healthcare. A safety net that you may have never thought you would need. A safety net could be financial, healthcare, family, or community support.
Let’s look at different safety nets and how they may vary for you.
Continue readingBy Samuel Fitch
When you think of a safety net, what comes to mind? Is it a circus act—a high-flying trapeze artist soaring through the air or someone being launched from a cannon, hoping to land softly?
The truth is, safety nets come in many forms. At their core, they are tools that provide security, comfort, and confidence.
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