Grounded In Faith & Truth

Posted on May 20, 2026 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

When people hear the phrase “mental health,” they often think of major life changes, complicated routines, or dramatic breakthroughs. My experience has been much simpler.

For me, strong mental health is often built through small habits repeated consistently; habits that help me stay grounded before the demands of the day begin competing for my attention.

Living with multiple sclerosis has taught me how quickly your mind can drift if you’re not intentional. Some days bring fatigue. Other days bring stiffness or frustration. And if I’m not careful, my mind can start running toward questions about the future that don’t have answers yet.

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Maybe You’re Already Doing It…

Posted on May 13, 2026 by MSAA

By Angel Blair

I think it goes without saying how important one’s overall health is. Though when we talk about health and wellness, we often just think of the physical aspects. But a crucial part of our well-being relies on mental health and wellness too, and these can unfortunately get overlooked at times. When thinking about wellness plans and regimens, mental health may not be considered a top priority or major piece of the puzzle. But it should, as mental wellness is just as important as other parts of our health system.

Nurturing mental health needs can be challenging at times, but there are ways to help improve it that may already be done in your day-to-day. It doesn’t always have to be a grand act or monumental feat that’s accomplished, but rather small gestures or behaviors done daily to foster good mental health. If I find myself overwhelmed or stressed, there are a few go-to acts that I engage in to center myself and to help refocus.

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Protecting My Peace: Small Habits That Help Me Navigate Life with MS

Posted on May 8, 2026 by MSAA

By Nicole Robinson

Living with multiple sclerosis has taught me a lot, especially when it comes to protecting my mental and emotional well-being.

When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t have it all together. There were moments of confusion, frustration, and a lot of questions about what my life would look like moving forward. While I still don’t have all the answers, I’ve learned that small intentional habits can make a big difference in how I show up each day.

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The Power of Holistic Wellness for Individuals Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on April 29, 2026 by MSAA

By Dr. Eva Jackson

Holistic wellness plays a critical role in improving the quality of life for individuals affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). This approach, recognized and studied by numerous organizations, focuses on treating the whole person rather than addressing symptoms in isolation.

When I was first introduced to life with MS, my care team did not clearly explain the importance of whole-person care. Yet, despite this lack of explanation, that is exactly the model they implemented. Soon after my diagnosis, a comprehensive and coordinated plan was developed to manage my symptoms. My care team included a neuro-ophthalmologist, urologist, MS specialist, sleep medicine specialist, and a physical therapist specializing in multiple sclerosis. At the time, this fast-paced, multidisciplinary approach felt overwhelming. In retrospect, I deeply appreciate how effectively each provider worked together. This coordinated care exemplifies the essence of holistic wellness and addressing physical, emotional, and functional needs simultaneously.

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Taking Ownership: My Journey Toward Better Mental and Physical Wellness

Posted on April 24, 2026 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

There comes a point where continuing the same patterns will only lead you further away from the life you actually want to live. For me, that moment wasn’t dramatic. It was quiet, but undeniable. Between living with multiple sclerosis, navigating the sudden loss of my mom, and recognizing that my overall health was trending in the wrong direction, something had to change.

Not eventually. Not when it was convenient. Now.

For a long time, I operated the way many people do—focused on responsibilities, pushing through fatigue, and accepting certain limitations as “just the way things are.” Over time, the signs became harder to ignore. Low energy. Brain fog. Poor cardiovascular health. A general sense that I wasn’t operating at the level I knew I was capable of.

Then a simple but heavy realization settled in. I still have a lot of life left to live. That thought forced a question I couldn’t avoid—am I doing what’s necessary to be here for it?

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Well Well Wellness

Posted on April 15, 2026 by MSAA

By Angel Blair

When it comes to wellness and how we take care of our minds and bodies, there’s definitely some leeway as to what works for each person and what type of wellness is being referred to. If we’re being honest, I was never a big fan of physical exercise and fitness for myself. Not that I don’t think it’s important, because it truly is. I just never had enough drive or motivation to stick to a particular exercise regimen. I don’t take physical wellness for granted or disregard it in any way. It just took me some time to realize that physical wellness is merely one cog that makes up the wellness machine.

Mental and emotional wellness are two other vital pieces in the realm, and I found that these are the ones I can get on board with. Without knowledge of it, I was fostering these facets of wellness with things that I do in my day-to-day. And they’re things that I enjoy, go figure! They may not be obvious examples of wellness but that’s the great part about this theory. It can look so different and represent various things to people. There’s no “right” way to achieve wellness goals. What matters is that they support your body’s needs and promote good health.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, ever since I was young. It helps me to process things and allows me a space to be creative and honest. I also love to read. This activity provides a quiet restfulness and a chance to slow things down. The other surprising endeavor that I found nurtures my personal wellness is cleaning. I know, it sounds odd and a bit atypical compared to other wellness activities. But there’s something familiar and relaxing about it. I like the feeling of accomplishment it provides, and it also lets me jam out to my favorite music.

Maybe these activities wouldn’t work for you, or maybe they would. You may already have certain routines or tasks that bring you joy, positive physical effects, or a sense of purpose and accomplishment. But you may not have realized that these satisfying ventures are concurrently supporting your personal wellness too. Perhaps because you thought wellness had to look a certain way. What a pleasant surprise!

About Angel:

My name is Angel Blair, I am a mom to beautiful twin girls and hold degrees in counseling from schools outside of the Philadelphia area. I’ve worked with the MS community in the past, and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in helping others. I enjoy spending time with my family, writing, reading, and traveling.

Bittersweet Advocacy

Posted on March 27, 2026 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

I’m proud to advocate on behalf of multiple sclerosis issues, and I aim to normalize discussing human health experiences without shame. If we live long enough, almost all of us will experience big health issues, and learning from others is a huge help for navigating them.

I’ve participated in Bike MS, Meat Fight, Walk MS, and self-help group leadership. I write openly about my MS experience, I contribute regularly to MSAA’s blog MS Conversations, and I let my community, colleagues, and legislators know that I have MS. I’m happy to answer questions and have spoken to newly diagnosed people and family members quite a few times over the years. If I’m the only person they know with MS and they would like to chat, I’m there for them. They’ll have a unique MS experience, and I want to support them in their journey. I’m eager to encourage kinship, help where I can, and remove any cloak of shame regarding health issues.

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MS Advocacy: The Art of Building Relationships

Posted on March 25, 2026 by MSAA

By Dr. Eva Jackson

The Power of Advocacy

Sherry Lee Mueller once wrote that advocacy is the art of building relationships. In our MS community, advocacy empowers change, strengthens our community, and gives a voice to those who may have been previously voiceless. Those in the MS community consider March their month. The month where we can increase awareness of multiple sclerosis, who it affects, the stigmas linked to the disease, and our search for a cure.

Advocacy takes many forms, ranging from individual efforts to raise awareness to organized campaigns and support groups that strive to influence policy and advance research. At its heart, advocacy is about connecting people with resources, connecting stories to audiences, and connecting needs to solutions. For the MS community, advocacy often means speaking up, not just for oneself, but for others who may not yet have found their voice.

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Using Your Voice

Posted on March 18, 2026 by MSAA

By Angel Blair

It can be a truly powerful thing. Yes, sometimes it’s not easy. It can make you feel uncomfortable, unsure, and anxious. But eventually you find that it is absolutely necessary in order to take care of yourself and to put your needs first. It’s finding your voice and using it when situations call for it. It’s self-advocacy, and it is a crucial part of life. Advocating for yourself is a monumental task and one that elicits various outcomes and feelings. An admirable trait that when executed effectively, can evoke feelings of pride and content.

For individuals living with MS or another chronic illness, self-advocacy becomes a vital part of the disease journey. From diagnosis to treatment and care, speaking up for your needs, expressing concerns, and asking questions are necessary components to ensure quality care. There may come a time where you have to question a provider, seek another opinion, or say no in response to something regarding your health. These aren’t always easy to accomplish. But you’ll find that because you know yourself and your body best, it’s essential to make others understand what your needs are.

To do this you have to use your voice, even when others try to shut you down. Sometimes this can feel like a fight, and saying speak up is easier said than done. But if you don’t, you may end up questioning more things than you’d like and wondering how things could have looked differently. The MS disease course can be so unique to those affected that it requires individual accounts, personal perspective, and self-assertion when needed.

It’s hard not to question or doubt yourself if others protest or show doubt in you. It takes belief and faith and proves to be a job in itself. Having trust in the self-advocacy process is difficult. And though it proves to be a struggle sometimes, it’s worth the fight if it leads to what’s best for you and your care. Ensuring you’re being cared for in the best way possible is the ultimate goal and what you rightfully deserve.

About Angel:

It’s National MS Awareness Month!

Posted on March 16, 2026 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

The idea of self-advocacy is something that becomes incredibly important when you live with multiple sclerosis or care for someone who does. There are many ways to advocate for yourself, in medical decisions, in treatment conversations, and in daily life. One area that often gets overlooked, however, is how we advocate for our time.

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