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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When Holidays Change

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Dana Carney

There are an endless number of events that can cause a change in holiday traditions. An impending move may mean it’s the last Christmas in a childhood home; circumstances can cause a change in who attends or who hosts the gatherings; or there could be a gradual shift in activities as abilities change. A change in tradition can bring heightened feelings of panic, insecurity, or worry – feelings similar to a huge change of plans, only multiplied by 100 because they were previously solidified by years of stability.

When things change, it is alright to feel those emotions, as humans thrive on routine after all! However, allowing it to affect your holiday and time with loved ones may lead to regret and negative memories of this holiday. The most important thing to remember is WHY you love certain traditions, and how you can continue those feelings when the “perfect situation” is unavailable. Do you love lighting the menorah because of the candles, or because your family is around you and singing in its glow? Do you love Christmas dinner because it takes you 6 hours to prepare, or because your nieces helped you in the kitchen and delicious food tastes better with loved ones?

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Holiday Peanut Butter Wreaths

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Melissa Young

Happy Holidays!! This no bake recipe is fun to make and delicious. You can make ahead and decorate any way you would like. I found the wreaths to be festive and cheerful. They also are a crowd favorite.

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Don’t Miss MSAA’s Art Showcase Deadline!

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Diana Cruz-Beniquez

Every year, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) highlights the artistic talents of the MS community in our digital Art Showcase. We have received many wonderful submissions from individuals with MS across the country and are delighted to invite the community to participate once again in MSAA’s 2025-2026 Art Showcase.

Now until January 10, 2025, individuals with MS are encouraged to submit up to three works of visual art along with their personal stories to be highlighted in MSAA’s 2025-2026 Art Showcase. We welcome various types of art including paintings, drawings, photography, and more. To participate, please visit MSAA’s Call for Submissions webpage, or email us at showcase@mymsaa.org.

Eligibility:

To enter, you must have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and provide a doctor’s verification of your diagnosis. Please note that if you are a returning artist for MSAA’s Art Showcase, you can disregard this step.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older as of the date of entry and must be legal residents of the United States.
All entrants must submit a signed Release Form. This can be completed online or printed and emailed to showcase@mymsaa.org.

Please be sure to read through all Art Showcase rules and release form requirements prior to submitting your work.

Eligible submissions will be featured on MSAA’s website beginning in March 2025 in recognition of MS Awareness Month. Throughout the year, 12 artists and their work will be highlighted as Artists of the Month. To view submissions from previous Art Showcases, please visit our online gallery.

MSAA’s 2024-2025 Art Showcase recently won a Silver Digital Health Award! To learn more about this accomplishment, please read MSAA’s Latest News article.

A Global Day of Giving: Today is Giving Tuesday!

Posted on December 3, 2024 by MSAA

Today, Tuesday, December 3^rd, MSAA honors Giving Tuesday – a global initiative that promotes generosity and community engagement for nonprofits and charitable organizations. Days like today are critical for MSAA, as they promote support of our organization so that we may continue to provide free programs and services to the MS community.

During this busy time of year, members of the MS community need MSAA’s help more than ever – from assistive equipment for safety and mobility, to support and resources through MSAA’s Helpline specialists. In addition, MSAA’s educational programs, publications, webinars, videos, and podcasts provide a great deal of information on a wide range of topics, from symptoms and treatments, to physical and emotional wellness, and so much more. Our mission of Improving Lives Today is ongoing, and it is made possible due to the generosity of our donors.

Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to make a meaningful donation to MSAA. Your gift truly helps to support those affected by MS. If you would like to make a donation today, please visit mymsaa.org/donate. We greatly appreciate your support!

Smiling Through the Storm

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Teena Palathanam

Life is full of ups and downs. We all have experienced plans that have gone haywire, and curveballs thrown at us at the most unexpected of times. Everyone goes through tough times at some point in life, it is just the intensity, frequency, duration and type that differs. Always remember that it is alright to go through failures because failures are the steppingstones towards success. Instead of diving into despair and gloom, viewing challenges as opportunities to grow can transform your whole outlook on life. Below are a few thoughts that may help you during difficult times:

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Navigating Life with MS: Finding Growth in Challenges

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Claudia Chavez

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) comes with its own array of challenges and setbacks that can feel overwhelming at times. From unpredictable symptoms to navigating the complexities of treatment, these hurdles can seem daunting. It’s important to recognize that while these setbacks are very real, they do not have to define our journey. Effective strategies exist for managing these difficulties and finding ways to adapt and thrive. Setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities for growth, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose, showing that even in the face of adversity, there is always a path forward.

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Navegando por la vida con EM: Encontrando crecimiento en los desafíos

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Claudia Chavez

Vivir con esclerosis múltiple (EM) conlleva una serie de desafíos y contratiempos que a veces pueden resultar agobiantes. Desde los síntomas impredecibles hasta la complejidad del tratamiento, estos obstáculos pueden parecer desafíos enormes. Es importante reconocer que, aunque los contratiempos son muy reales, no tienen por qué definir nuestro camino. Existen estrategias eficaces para manejar estas dificultades y encontrar formas de adaptarse y progresar. Los contratiempos pueden crear oportunidades inesperadas de crecimiento, resiliencia y un sentido de propósito, demostrando que, incluso ante la adversidad, siempre hay un camino hacia adelante.

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Recipe of the Month: Carmel Apple Dip

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Melissa Young

Caramel Apple Dip is an easy and fun recipe to make and add to your Thanksgiving gathering or Fall celebration. When I make this dip, everyone compliments me on how yummy it tastes. It only requires a few ingredients, and you do not need to use the oven. You can make it the night before and refrigerate, one less thing you have to worry about! Enjoy.

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Learning from Emotions: Lessons from Holidays Past

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Dana Carney

Giving, thanks, joy, togetherness, festivities. If you were to see these words, you would most likely think of holidays throughout the year and perhaps picture a happy family, a crackling fire, and laughter from a Hallmark movie.

So, what happens during or after a holiday when you are left feeling defeated, overstimulated, or even just…empty?

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