Making Peace with Cancelled Plans: Navigating Life and Social Pressure with MS

Living with a chronic illness means mastering a complicated dance. For individuals navigating multiple sclerosis (MS), that dance includes an uninvited partner who constantly changes the music. One minute you are gliding smoothly, and the next, the tempo shifts without warning. Living with MS may require rewriting the rules of daily life to help reclaim control, energy, and personal happiness.

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Recognizing 10 Years of My MSAA Community

“I am so grateful for this community and the wonderful people here. It has been life-changing for me to have so much support, be able to help others, and to find great resources. Bravo, MSAA!” 

-My MSAA Community member 

This year, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is recognizing a very special milestone: the 10th anniversary of our online forum, My MSAA Community!  

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Smart and Splendid Summers

As we dive into the bright and sun-filled days of summer, I find myself pondering just how wonderful this season feels in our lives. Probably the best part is the joy of spending time with loved ones and building meaningful connections. While travel is a big part of the season, it is important to plan mindfully—especially when living with MS. Since every individual’s MS journey is different, it is important to plan based on your needs. Make time for rest, listen to your body, and prepare ahead so you can truly cherish the holiday experience. Since travel can also be costly, there are several smart ways to reduce expenses without compromising on the comfort of the holidays.

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Summer Plans on a Budget: How I Make the Most of Summer Living with MS

By Nicole Robinson

Summer looks a little different when you are living with multiple sclerosis. The heat, the fatigue, the unpredictability of symptoms – it all factors into how I plan, what I commit to, and how I protect my energy while still enjoying the season. Over the years I have learned that a meaningful summer does not require a big budget or an ambitious itinerary. It requires intention. And a little planning ahead never hurts either.

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Summertime

By Angel Blair

It’s that time of year again— the peak of the summer months is upon us. For those living with MS affected by the heat, staying cool becomes top priority. And for individuals on a budget, summer planning can require some creativity and thinking outside of the box. But there are ways to try and enjoy the season while being cost efficient and budget savvy. It’s about finding what works for you! 

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Summer Fun on a Budget: Finding Joy Close to Home

By Samuel Fitch

Having fun in the summer does not have to mean spending hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on a fancy vacation, cruise, amusement park, or long-distance trip. Those things can be wonderful, but they are not the only way to make meaningful summer memories.

Sometimes the best kind of summer is a simple staycation right where you live.

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The Best Summer Memories Don’t Have to Cost a Fortune

By Dan and Jennifer Digmann

The mid-summer scent of grilled hot dogs hung in the air as the sun started setting and we twisted open another ice-cold beer.

Stadium organ music playing “Charge” faded into the background as our friend Erica asked Dan for another bag of Cracker Jack.

Welcome to an evening on our back deck.

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My Inner Cheerleader

By Stacie Prada

“The reward of a thing well done is having done it.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sure, Ralph. Sometimes, having something done well is enough. It’s a relief to have it off the to-do list. It’s not nagging at me, and I’m not stressing about doing it anymore. But sometimes I still need acknowledgment for my hard work. A quiet nod or smile to myself in recognition: a star or smiley face drawn in my journal.

A lot of living with multiple sclerosis for me is invisible, and the effort it takes to prevent or delay physical decline is huge.

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Celebrating Without Making It All About Me

By Samuel Fitch

I have no problem admitting that I enjoy recognition. I also know I can be a shameless self-promoter at times. But when it comes to the MS community, celebration feels different.

For me, celebration is not about pretending the hard days do not exist. It is about recognizing the small victories that often go unnoticed.

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Learning to Celebrate Myself

By Dr. Eva Jackson

Like many people, I was raised to believe that pride and boasting were wrong. As an adult, however, I am learning that recognizing my accomplishments is not the same as bragging. No matter how big or small the achievement is, I am learning to celebrate doing a good job.

For me, being kind and doing good comes naturally, but I am realizing that it is also important to celebrate myself. Sometimes that means simply giving myself credit, patting myself on the back, or treating myself to something special just for being me. I am learning that self-celebration is not about putting myself above anyone else. It is about acknowledging my efforts and my growth and giving myself permission to feel good about the progress I have made.

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