Yesterday’s Seeds; Today’s Garden!

Posted on May 14, 2025 by MSAA

By Nana Opong-Owusu

They say the habits, values, and choices we’ve planted in our past, shape the garden we stand in today — the decisions we’ve made, the habits we’ve formed, the passions we’ve nurtured, and the values we’ve carried quietly in our hearts. I didn’t appreciate these types of thoughts as a child, but as an adult I oftentimes find myself reflecting.

Growing up, I was always drawn to movement. Sports weren’t just a hobby — they were a way of life. Whether it was the freedom associated with biking around the city with my childhood friends, the camaraderie of my basketball teams, or the adrenaline of soccer tournaments, exercise and movement have always grounded me. Now as an adult, I see it gave me structure, perseverance, and most importantly, a familiarity with pushing through adversity. But alongside that physical drive, I’ve always carried something else: a caring heart. A giving heart.

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Looking Back, Moving Forward

Posted on May 5, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

This is my first blog post—so I’m hoping readers will extend a little grace. I’m 44 years old at the time of writing, and lately I’ve been reflecting on the last two decades of my life. One question keeps coming to mind: Would my 24-year-old self be proud of the man I’ve become and the career I’ve chosen?

At 24, I was newly married—Jessica and I had tied the knot in 2003. We were less than a year into marriage, expecting our first child, and I was working full-time at my family’s restaurant. We hadn’t bought our first home yet, but I was riding high on love, youth, and big dreams. At the same time, I was still dealing with some self-destructive habits—drinking, gambling—trying to figure out who I wanted to be as an adult.

Fast forward twenty years, and life has taken some sharp, unexpected turns. Jessica and I have grown stronger together. We’re now parents to four incredible children—three daughters and our youngest, a son. But that early vision I had for my career didn’t quite pan out the way I imagined.

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Spring Presents

Posted on April 16, 2025 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Without changes in routines or seasonal differences, it’s easy to lose track of time, day of the week, month, and even time of year. It’s good to have consistent healthy habits, but variety in schedule, activities, and environment helps us mark time.

Consider driving a long stretch of highway. They have names for the experience of driving a distance, losing track of time, and being surprised not to remember it: highway hypnosis and white line fever.

The more monotonous an experience, the less alert we’ll be, and we become more apt to operate on autopilot. It’s a small leap to compare this to our lives and how we experience time passing. The less we notice and the more we operate on autopilot, the more time can fly by.

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A Love Letter to My Younger Self

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Emily

By: Emily Carlin

Understanding life with a chronic disease diagnosis is a long-term experience. For me, it took years to come to terms with the fact that I have MS. The journey was not easy but looking back I am proud of myself for how I handled that situation so early in my adulthood.

For some background, I was 23 when I was diagnosed with MS. Unfortunately, I am very familiar with how this condition can impact your life, as some of my family members have lived with MS for many years. To write this piece, I’m going to take you on a little journey with me. Join me as I take you back to the time when I was first diagnosed as I pretend to take myself out for coffee as the 35-year-old woman, wife, and mother I am now.

I asked my younger self out to coffee. She showed up with glowing skin, long hair, vibrant, and full of life. She was also well rested (darn, I was jealous of that, being I’m now a mom of two toddlers). She asked me how my day was going with a cheerful smile. I paused for a second, I looked right in her eyes and told her she was beautiful before I answered. I softly smiled, and told her my day was going well, but I had some things I’d like to share with her.

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Burdens Shared

Posted on March 14, 2025 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

March is MS awareness month, and it’s a good time to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned while navigating life with multiple sclerosis for 16 years. Of all of the lessons I’ve had to learn, the hardest has been accepting my MS is not just my problem.

When I was diagnosed with MS, I firmly wanted to be able to deal with it myself. I saw it as my problem, and I didn’t want it to affect those around me. I saw it as solely my responsibility, and I thought it would be unfair for me to let it burden anyone else.

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New Year’s Reflection

Posted on January 8, 2025 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

One thing to remember about New Year’s resolutions: They are not required. If you don’t want to make any, don’t. I like them for the feeling of a fresh start and hope for a better future, but I also know that I need to be ready before I make a change. If I try before I’m ready, it will end with feelings of failure and guilt.

Coming out of the holiday season, I recognize I did a lot, and I don’t feel like I took enough time to rest and recharge. Now it’s January, there are many things to do, and I’m not feeling completely ready. I’ve been too busy getting things done each day to take a step back and look longer term.

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Wishes for Wellness

Posted on December 11, 2024 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Bright lights on buildings and cool decorations

Brighten the landscape and cause a sensation

Snail mail and email share tidings and cheer

Wishes for wellness and Happy New Year

Kindness from strangers and heartfelt connection

Show us what matters and trigger reflection

Posts on the social show who they hold dear

Wishes for wellness and Happy New Year

Visit with loved ones and arrive gift bearing

delight in giving while sharing and caring

Joy, peace, and goodwill for those far and near

Wishes for wellness and Happy New Year

When fatigue hits

When the stress rears

When I’m overwhelmed

Focus on what matters, let go of the rest,

and deem the season success!

This was written for fun to be sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things,” by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers in their musical, “The Sound of Music.” Take good care all!

*Stacie Prada was diagnosed with RRMS in 2008 just shy of 38 years old. Her blog, “Keep Doing What You’re Doing” is a compilation of inspiration, exploration, and practical tips for living with Multiple Sclerosis while living a full, productive, and healthy life with a positive perspective. It includes musings on things that help her adapt, cope and celebrate this adventure on earth. Please visit her at http://stacieprada.blogspot.com/

Moments Matter

Posted on November 13, 2024 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Have you ever been in a mood and had something happen that changed it in a moment? It happens a lot, and some moments stick through the years.

I recall being at work years ago, and cheerfully saying, “Good morning!” They responded quickly and sharply, “What’s good about it?”

I don’t remember how I responded then, but I still think about how it startled me. I felt like I’d done something wrong, and I wasn’t sure what. My mood swiftly dropped from happy to resentful. This memory helped me learn the life lesson that we’re all living different experiences, and lots of interactions have nothing to do with us.

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Look Forward to Something

Posted on October 11, 2024 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Fall where I live means shorter days, less sunlight, more rain, and colder weather. I realized after my Multiple sclerosis diagnosis, that seasonal shifts to spring and fall are times when I’m more susceptible to MS exacerbations. I used to worry about it, and it’s taken a lot of effort to feel more confident approaching seasonal changes.

My usual approach is:

When things are tough, take inventory of what’s tough, what will help, and what’s helped before; and
Look forward to something.

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