Cuando la fortaleza dificulta acercarse a los demás

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

La fortaleza y la autosuficiencia suelen considerarse como una medalla de honor. Para muchas personas, especialmente aquellas que viven con enfermedades crónicas o incertidumbre constante, la fortaleza se vuelve sinónimo de supervivencia. Nos permite superar días difíciles, pero a menudo tiene un costo: un agotamiento profundo y la pérdida de oportunidades para conectar con los demás. Ser fuerte y autosuficiente es admirable, pero también puede dificultar recibir el apoyo de quienes se preocupan por nosotros. Dejar entrar a los demás y elegir la vulnerabilidad puede resultar incómodo o incluso inseguro cuando la independencia se ha convertido en nuestra normalidad.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Shana Stern – MSAA’s February 2026 Artist of the Month

Posted on February 2, 2026 by MSAA

MSAA features the work of many talented artists affected by multiple sclerosis as part of our annual MSAA Art Showcase. Each month we share these artists’ inspiring stories and beautiful artwork with you as our Artist of the Month. This month, we celebrate Shana Stern as February’s Artist of the Month.  Shana is from Los Angeles, CA.

Feels Like Lightning

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The Power of Intentions Over Traditional Goal Setting

Posted on January 28, 2026 by MSAA

By: Dr. Eva Jackson

Rethinking Goal Setting in Our Community

For the past 15 years, members of my community have routinely organized vision board parties toward the end of the year or at the start of the new year, with an emphasis on goal setting. Personally, I have often felt uncomfortable during this period, as traditional goal setting has never resonated with me. I tend to set ambitious goals but frequently find myself unable to achieve them, despite starting with clear intentions. This recurring pattern leads me to believe that perhaps my goals are often unrealistic.

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Conózcase a sí mismo para alcanzar sus metas

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Claudia Chavez

Establecer metas es fácil, pero cumplirlas es donde empieza el verdadero reto. Muchas veces creemos que lograr un objetivo depende solo de la motivación, cuando en realidad también necesitamos organización, conocernos mejor y crear un ambiente que nos ayude. Asumir la responsabilidad de lograr nuestras metas no significa exigirnos perfección, sino construir hábitos que nos acerquen a la persona que queremos ser.

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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.

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Easy Overnight Oats

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Melissa Young

Making overnight oats is simple and doesn’t require any cooking! This basic recipe can be customized to your liking with various add-ins and flavors.

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Jumpstarting 2026

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Teena Palathanam

The wheels have turned again, bringing us to the beginning of a brand-new year. This is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and identify the changes one would like to make this year to bring more growth and fulfillment to their life. Setting resolutions for yourself can give a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem when positive results are achieved.

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