Prioritizing Self-Care

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September is National Self-Care Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the importance of taking care of yourself. In a world that’s constantly on the go, it’s easy to overlook our own needs in the rush to meet deadlines, care for others, and manage daily responsibilities. However, self-care is not selfish – it’s essential for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Self-care looks different for everyone. For me, my favorite form of self-care is going for a walk while listening to a podcast or audio book. Whether I’m winding down after a long day or just taking a break, the combination of fresh air and engaging content always help me recharge! It’s a simple way to create space for myself and reset my mind.

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Team MSAA and runDisney Participant Highlight: Ashlei Brown

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Four years ago, Ashlei Brown ran her first endurance event as part of Team MSAA. The view was about as good as it could get – EPCOT.

In July, Ashlei shared her struggles with a severe MS flare that she experienced in 2020.

“2020 I was in the biggest episode of my life, hardly able to walk. I was stressed about moving my family across state lines from Florida to Tennessee into unfamiliar territory with no extended family to lean on… in the middle of COVID. My MS is completely under control now, thanks to the amazing people at @VUMChealth.

I think it’s time to run again for @MSassociation”

We wanted to hear more about Ashlei’s journey with Team MSAA, and what inspired her to run again at Disney.

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Sarah Michael – September 2024 Artist of the Month

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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 Sarah Michael as September’s Artist of the Month. Sarah is from Herndon, PA.

“Wiconisco Creek”

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Recipe of the Month: Chocolate Chip Kodiak Cake Muffins

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These muffins are simple to make. Just need to add a few ingredients to the Kodiak mix and in no time, you’ll have delicious chocolate chip muffins to enjoy. Great for an easy on the go snack or pick me up during the day. They’re made with whole grains and packed with protein. Give them a try!!

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Ask the Expert: Swallowing Disorders

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Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD 

MSAA’s Chief Medical Officer 

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

Question: How can MS affect the ability to swallow and what treatments are available?

Answer: Dysphagia refers to any problem swallowing. This issue is common in a number of neurological disorders, including MS. It’s estimated that approximately one-third of people living with MS will experience difficulty swallowing or dysphagia at some point in their lifetime.

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The Ultimate Staycation

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Who says you need to travel far to have a great vacation? Coming from a homebody myself, sometimes the best vacations are right in the comfort of your own home. Staycations offers the perfect opportunity to relax, have fun, and recharge without the hassle of packing, travel, or expenses. Whether you’re spending time alone, with family and friends, a little creativity can turn your staycation into an unforgettable experience.

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Embracing The Vacation

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Travelling with MS can be overwhelming, especially if you are travelling to a new destination. Not knowing where the restrooms are or having a place to relax when your legs give way can cause a lot of anxiety for individuals with MS.  The unpredictability that comes with MS adds to the stress. Although unexpected hiccups can happen to anyone, planning your itinerary ahead of time will eliminate a great deal of anxiety. Below are some tips to keep in mind when you are planning for a vacation:

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How MS Messes with Speech

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One frustrating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is the cognitive impact. Those of us with MS often struggle with memory, recall, and speech. When words vanish, we get creative in communicating! 

MultipleSclerosis.net posted the following prompt to the community:

“MS can mess with our word recall and speech function, making remembering the names of people, places, and things difficult. If only there was 1 word for it all. We want to know, what would your word be? Example: ‘Can you please hand me the _____ over there?’ Philadelphia natives might throw the word ‘jawn’ in there!”

There was a lot of engagement with this topic!

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Healthier and Better Dinner and Movie Staycation

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I recently went out to town with my family to have dinner and see a movie in theaters. Although it was fun to have some good food and see a movie on the big screen with movie theater popcorn (and butter), I couldn’t help but think how easy it is to recreate a similar experience at home, and at a fraction of the cost and probably a bit healthier. Here are some tips to have dinner and a movie at your own home!

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Team MSAA and runDisney Participant Highlight: Tiffany McCahill 

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Completing a 10k endurance event last year wasn’t enough for Team MSAA participant Tiffany McCahill. She’s doing it again, but this time raising the bar and taking on the half marathon!  

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