My Unspoken Strength 

The lessons that living with MS has taught me are abundant. I have lived with this disease since I was in my very early 20s. Some of the most pivotal years of a young person’s life. I had big dreams of being a sports reporter. I did seven internships throughout my college career at Penn State University. The truth was, I was just downright hungry and would do whatever it took to be able to say, “I made it.”  

My last year of college was a pretty exciting time for me. I had just finished an internship with the B1G Ten Network. The show I helped produce won an Emmy Award, and I had just landed a new gig straight out of college for an ABC affiliate in Harrisburg, PA. I was about to take on the biggest news story living in the sports and news world at that moment. Penn State was amidst a horrible scandal that rocked the nation. I was assigned to cover the courtroom news for this story. I spent eight weeks living in a trailer parked in a Walmart parking lot close to the courthouse. I was doing live shots next to CNN, Fox, ABC, and ESPN. I was on top of the world, or so I thought… 

Continue reading
Share Button

 AnnaMarie Prono – October 2023 Artist of the Month

MSAA features the work of many talented artists affected by multiple sclerosis as part of our annual MSAA Art Showcase. We share these artists’ inspiring stories and beautiful artwork with you each month as our Artist of the Month. We celebrate AnnaMarie Prono as the October Artist of the Month this month. AnnaMarie is from Forest Hills, NY.

Continue reading
Share Button

Back to School for Children with MS

Going back to school is an exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking time for any child. But for children with MS, returning to the classroom can pose some unique challenges. In this post, we will explore how children with MS and their families can navigate the back-to-school season with confidence and ensure they have a successful and full academic year.

Continue reading
Share Button

Here We Go

Summer is over and the kids are all back at school. It is easy to get overwhelmed and anxious while trying to manage the school routines and dealing with the daily challenges of MS. It is best to be organized so that you have time to recover when symptoms worsen and take a toll on you during school days. Here are some ideas to make your life easier if you have school-going children:

Continue reading
Share Button

Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

YAY- It’s Fall Y’all.  This Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread is delicious!   Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee and savor the pumpkin spice flavor.  This is sure to be a hit at Fall gatherings with friends and family.  To be honest, I love to have a slice in the quiet morning when I am the only one awake sitting on my porch with my pumpkin spice coffee. 

Continue reading
Share Button

Today Is the Best Day to Learn Something New

Here we go! Another school year has arrived with endless possibilities and great potential. Whether you have little ones that are starting a new school year, or you are attending school yourself, adjusting to the new schedule can be challenging. Starting a new school year can be stressful, but it can be exciting as well.

Continue reading
Share Button

Lifelong Learning

By Stacie Prada

When the kids return to school, traffic patterns change and I may follow the school bus on my morning commute to work.  There are fewer tourists in my town and fewer colleagues away on vacation. Stores and ad campaigns feature school supplies and products useful for students going back to school. “Back to School” season is a terrific annual reminder that learning doesn’t end after finishing school. I consider how much lifelong learning I’ve done and hope to attempt, the possibilities grow, and I’m motivated to plan more.

Continue reading
Share Button

Back to the Grind 

Going back to school is filled with excitement, and possibly fear. Depending on what grade or level of schooling you’re about to enter. I know the feelings of starting a new school year but have not yet experienced it from a parent’s perspective, until now. And boy, is it tough. 

As I pack up my little girl to go to her first day of daycare, I can’t help but think to myself how is she going to feel without me? Will she think I abandoned her? Will she know that I am coming back? I know every parent has a feeling of extreme guilt when dropping their child off at a place that is unknown and possibly scary to them, even if it is in their best interest. Here are a couple things I did to calm myself down, stay present, keep my thoughts organized, and most importantly STAY POSITIVE. 

Continue reading
Share Button

Ask the Expert – Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD 

Headshot of doctor Barry Hendin, chief medical officer for MSAA
Barry Hendin, MD

Question: Both pseudobulbar affect and bipolar disorder can have emotional highs and lows. Can you discuss the differences between the two conditions?  

Continue reading
Share Button

Recipe of the Month: Fall Pumpkin Hummus

It is hard to believe that Fall is right around the corner. I am so ready for pumpkin everything!!!

This easy Fall Pumpkin Hummus only takes 10 minutes to make and is delicious!

Continue reading
Share Button