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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MS Awareness Month Program Highlight: My MSAA Community

Posted on March 17, 2025 by MSAA

As we continue to highlight MS Awareness Month this March, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) remains dedicated to raising awareness of multiple sclerosis while also providing vital resources and support for the community. MSAA recognizes that this month is especially powerful for the MS community as we reflect on how far we’ve come, the challenges that remain, and the importance of supporting one another. In honor of this special time, MSAA would like to bring attention to the many free programs and services offered that are designed to improve the quality of life for those affected by MS. One of the many free tools MSAA provides is My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online forum for individuals with MS.

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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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You Got This!

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Melissa Young

Receiving a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it’s also the beginning of a journey where you can take charge of your health and future. While MS comes with uncertainties, empowering yourself with knowledge and a proactive mindset can make a world of difference. Start by educating yourself about MS through the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). Understanding your diagnosis helps you make informed decisions about treatment, symptom management, and lifestyle changes.

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Nurturing Love for Yourself and Others

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Courtney Merker

Love, like any living thing, needs nourishment. Just as plants require water, sunlight, and care to grow, our relationships – both with ourselves and those around us – thrive when we invest time, attention and kindness. The way we treat ourselves often reflects in how we show up for others, and vice versa. When we nurture love within, it naturally extends outward, strengthening our bonds with the people with care about.

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Learning to Love Yourself

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Teena Palathanam

I truly believe that the more I care about my needs, the more effectively I can take care of others around me. The more compassion I show myself, the more empathy I can show to others. This means that if I want fruitful relationships with others around me, the transformation must start from within me. Taking care of oneself is not selfish and it often translates to prioritizing yourself. Below are some things to keep in mind while learning to love yourself.

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Cottage Cheese with Scrambled Eggs

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Melissa Young

Cottage Cheese is finally having a moment across the USA. This recipe made with cottage cheese and eggs are creamy and loaded with protein. It’s easy, and incredibly delicious. Add it to your list of things to try. Be adventurous and add different seasonings you might like to mix in.

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It All Begins with You

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Diana Cruz-Beniquez

There are so many aspects of life that can continuously change: your job position, friends, family, romantic relationships, your environment. But there is one thing that always remains: You. We often forget that we have a relationship with ourselves and how we nurture that can affect many other aspects of our lives.

The relationship you have with yourself is one that you carry with you every day and everywhere. Your thoughts, emotions, sense of identity, perspective on yourself and your connection to the world will ultimately affect your perspective on life and the various situations and relationships you encounter. A positive relationship with yourself is the foundation to a positive relationship with the world and people around you. But how do you determine what type of relationship you have with yourself? By asking yourself a few questions, you may be able to weave together the bigger picture.

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Filling Your Cup: The Importance of Self-Care

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Claudia Chavez

Self-care is often easier said than done. While it broadly refers to the actions we take to improve or maintain our physical, mental, and emotional well-being, truly understanding what self-care entails—and how it benefits us—can sometimes feel elusive. At its core, self-care is about meeting our needs and nurturing ourselves so that we can show up fully for others.

Understanding the importance of self-care and its impact on our well-being is vital. I like to think of self-care as a cup of water: we cannot pour from an empty cup. When we give from our cup, it depletes our own reserves. Instead, let’s focus on filling our cup to the brim with love and care, allowing it to overflow. By sharing from the overflow, we ensure our cup always remains full while still nurturing those around us. In doing so, we create a sustainable cycle of giving that benefits both ourselves and others.

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