Spring 2022 April

Posted on April 20, 2022 by MSAA

By Lauren Kovacs

Old man winter is finally sleeping. While bikini weather is not welcome, the sunshine is and I need it and flowers. Heat I can do without. I need the grey to go away.

NC this year has had strange weather. Gosh, I sound like an old man talking about the weather. I promise I am not an old man. Old…some days I feel old.

Spring is full of rain and up and weather. NC has big swings, this time of year. Now we are in season five. Pollen. It is like snow and it also means cold, wet, grey skies, but dormant vegetation are about to vanish. My favorite chocolate is around too. It better start laying those Cadbury Creme Eggs. Come on furball, lay those eggs faster.

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A Thank-You for National Volunteer Week 2022

Posted on April 19, 2022 by MSAA

Learn more about National Volunteer Week April 17-23 with MSAA

In the spirit of National Volunteer Week, MSAA wants to recognize the incredible volunteers that support us year-round in all that we do.

Day in and day out, MSAA relies on so many to help drive our organization forward so we can provide more support, more services, and more impact for those living with MS and their care partners:

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Hello Spring!

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Claudia Chavez

In the spirit of spring cleaning, when is the last time you decluttered your emotional life? Spring cleaning isn’t just for the home. Did you know feelings and thoughts have a way of piling up and need decluttering too? Acknowledging our emotions can be the beginning to setting them free and releasing emotional baggage.

Think of those unhelpful thoughts that have been in the back of your mind lately. Am I holding on to anger, guilt, sadness, or resentment? Those thoughts generate feelings that impact the way we see ourselves and everything around us. Make a list or say them out loud and take some time to really acknowledge those feelings. Now ask yourself this question – are these feelings helping me with my wellbeing and goals? If the answer is no, it is time to tidy up!

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Springing My Way Along

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Teena Palathanam

Spring has sprung, and it is a gentle reminder of how beautiful the passing of seasons can be. As the flowers blossom and tiny sprouts break through the brown barks, it’s time to venture out of my cocoon which has been my shelter for the past few winter months. It is the season to explore the beauty that nature has at its best.

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“Spring” into Action!

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Courtney Merker

It’s time to wake up from winter hibernation! If you’re anything like me in the cold months, you like to curl up in a blanket with hot drinks (coffee please!), watch movies, and take it easy. But now that warmer and sunnier days are here, it’s time to ditch our cocoon and “spring” into action! Transitioning from winter to spring has a positive effect mentally, physically, and emotionally. The warmer spring weather allows us to get back outside into nature. Our skin uses the sunlight to produce more vitamin D which has vital functions for good health and mental well-being. Here are a few enjoyable ways to enjoy the spring season and get outside:

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Avocado Taco

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Melissa Young

Cinco De Mayo is on Thursday, May 5th, 2022. It is a celebration that commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Wouldn’t it be fun to enjoy and share this avocado-based recipe with loved ones to celebrate this special day? This creative recipe is a clever way to put a spin on the classic taco. Adding the use of avocados for the shell is a healthier option too.

Ingredients

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Spring Cleaning and MS

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Kyle

With the spring months upon us, so too comes the annual spring-cleaning tradition…”out with the old, in with the new,” isn’t that what they always say? And for many, the decluttering process is a very therapeutic activity, making your home interior both more aesthetically pleasing and increasing the accessible nature of your environment. But this type of deep cleaning of your home can also be quite taxing, even for those who are able-bodied and not living with a chronic condition like multiple sclerosis.

For those who are considering a potential “spring cleaning project”, but are concerned about their ability to do so, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

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Eileen Dillon – April 2022 Artist of the Month

Posted on April 1, 2022 by John MSAA

Each year, we feature the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis in our annual MSAA Art Showcase. We receive many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share the work of these artists and their inspirational stories with you, including highlighting one artist each month as our Artist of the Month. This month, we are proud to feature artist Eileen Dillon of Denver, CO:

Eileen Dillon artwork entitled Safe Harbor — *“Safe Harbor”*

About the Artist – Eileen Dillon

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Community Views: Aging Fears with MS

Posted on March 30, 2022 by MultipleSclerosis.net

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease. This means symptoms worsen as time goes on. Thinking about the future can cause anxiety. You worry about what happens in the future.

We recently provided space for sharing those concerns on the MultipleSclerosis.net Facebook page. There, we asked community members to tell us: “What’s your biggest fear about aging with MS?”

More than 600 responses revealed several common threads.

This is an illustration of a female figure thinking about aging and progression and anxiety

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Shaping the MS Experience: Facing Change

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Melissa Young

Let’s face it, change is hard, and you may feel MS causes you to be in a constant state of flux. Where you are always having to modify, adapt, adjust and shift. No two days are ever the same.

That got me thinking about the word CHANGE and how we accept change in our lives. Changes in your life require faith, dedication, and perseverance. Did you know that the true test of intelligence is not how much we know, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do?

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