Advocacy in Action: Learning from People with MS

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

Working at the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), I am often asked if I have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). While MS is not part of my personal journey, speaking with people living with MS has given me a unique perspective on the importance of listening deeply, respecting each person’s experiences, and recognizing the power of self-advocacy. Their courage in navigating uncertainty and speaking up for their needs has helped me see how vital advocacy is in every health journey. Every conversation reminds me that every voice matters and that advocacy, whether for oneself or on behalf of others, plays a powerful role in navigating life’s challenges.

Continue reading →

The Power of Self-Advocacy: Finding Your Voice and Owning Your MS Journey

Posted on March 13, 2026 by Melissa Young

Self-advocacy is more than just a buzzword; it is the act of speaking up for yourself, clearly communicating your needs, and taking action to get what you want in life. At its core, it is about recognizing your own worth and ensuring your perspective is heard and respected.

When you learn to advocate for yourself, you transition from being a passive observer to an active participant in your own MS journey.

Here are a few tips to start being your own best advocate:

Continue reading →

Your MS, Your Voice: The Power of Self-Advocacy — MS Awareness Month Highlights & Resources

Posted on March 2, 2026 by MSAA

MS Awareness Month 2026 badge to signify that March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month

MSAA proudly recognizes March as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and is pleased to present the MS community with helpful and encouraging resources and programs throughout the month.

Our MS Awareness Month theme in 2026 – Your MS, Your Voice: The Power of Self-Advocacy – focuses on what advocating for oneself really looks like in everyday life. Throughout March, explore self-advocacy from both the clinician and lived-experience perspective as we share practical tools to help the MS community. Please join us for the following free MS Awareness Month activities:

Continue reading →

Heart-Healthy Salmon & Spring Greens

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Melissa Young

For a heart-healthy win that feels like spring on a plate, you can’t beat this easy sheet pan Lemon-Herb Salmon & Spring Greens. Salmon is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids that support cardiovascular health.

Continue reading →

Connecting with Kindness and Compassion

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Teena Palathanam

Kindness is something we encounter more often than we realize. At some point, each of us has been at the receiving end of someone’s patience, and those moments stay with us. When we choose to be kind, we keep that ripple moving forward. What makes kindness such a powerful virtue is that it costs nothing, carries no expectations, and does not require grand gestures or public displays. In fact, it is usually the small, random, and quiet acts that brighten someone’s day the most. Life is short, and choosing kindness is one of the simplest ways to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. Sometimes it is as easy as holding the door for someone, letting a parent with restless kids go ahead in line, or offering a smile when someone looks overwhelmed.

Continue reading →

When Strength Makes It Hard to Let Others In

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

Strength and self-reliance are often worn like a badge of honor. For many people, especially those living with chronic illness or ongoing uncertainty, strength becomes synonymous with survival. It allows us to push through difficult days, but it often comes at the cost of deep exhaustion and a missed opportunity for connecting with others. Being strong and self-reliant is admirable, yet it can also make it harder to receive support from those who care about us. Letting others in and choosing vulnerability can feel uncomfortable or even unsafe when independence has become our default.

Continue reading →

More Than Just the Sniffles: Navigating Colds and Flu with MS

Posted on February 9, 2026 by MultipleSclerosis.net

For the average person, catching a cold is a minor inconvenience—a few days of tissues and cough syrup before bouncing back to work. But for those of us living with multiple sclerosis (MS), the narrative is often drastically different. We know that a “simple” bug can feel like a seismic event. As one community member vividly shared, “mundane ailments can knock us down for the count.” What might be a fleeting annoyance for our friends and family can hit us with the force of a freight train, leaving us drained and vulnerable.

Continue reading →

Virtual Friendships and Feeling Less Alone

Posted on February 6, 2026 by MSAA

When living with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis, building a community for yourself of people who truly get it is incredibly valuable. Having a support network in your life of people who are there for you in easy times and hard can make all the difference. A support network can be made up of neighbors, friends, and family members you see regularly. And, with the variety of digital options, your support network can easily be found in virtual forums, like MSAA’s My MSAA Community.

picture of young african american women at her laptop searching My MSAA Community site

Continue reading →

Know Yourself to Reach Your Goals

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

Setting goals is easy, but holding ourselves accountable is where the real work begins. We often imagine that achieving a goal is simply about motivation, but it also involves structure, self-awareness, and creating the right environment. Accountability isn’t about pressure or perfection; it is about building habits that support the version of ourselves we are trying to become.

Continue reading →