They call THESE challenging times, huh?
Well they don’t know squat about those of us with multiple sclerosis!
They don’t know challenging until they button a shirt with MS “fumble fingers.”
They don’t know challenging until they enter a place with a door that opens out—while sitting in a wheelchair. Continue reading
It’s tough right now living through a pandemic. I assume I’ll live through it, but many will not. I appreciate hearing from people who are having a hard time, because I’m glad they’re expressing themselves. I think the silent ones are sometimes the ones to worry about most.
When I think of everything I need to figure out, solve and do, it’s overwhelming: work while adapting to a state of emergency, isolate physically, help others in need, maintain Continue reading
Well here we are forced to be hermits with this virus going around. While embracing our inner hermit is just part of some MSers lives already, it is different when your inner hermit is forced to be a hermit. Having a choice to be a hermit is now not our choice.
In light of this, connections and support are essential. Sanity is imperative. Online or phone connections are all the rage. Face-to-face is Continue reading
This March, MSAA hosted a number of online activities with a focus on wellness through The Mind, Body, and MS Connection campaign. Each online activity highlighted emotional, mental, or physical health concerns of the MS community.
This is a significantly stressful and anxious time for everyone, and that can make it difficult to focus on wellness. As MS Awareness Month comes to a close, Continue reading
Wee-Ha! Phew, it has been cray–zee celebrating MS Awareness Month! Wait, what? You want MY recipe for mind/body wellness? Oh, I don’t know, we are all so very different. What works for ME might not work for YOU.
It’s like a recipe for chocolate chip cookies—everyone makes them a tad bit differently. Well, sure. If you are okay with it, here is my personal recipe for mind/body Continue reading
The knee bone is connected to the thigh bone; the thigh bone is connected to the hip bone, and it is all connected to the brain bone. Ok, so the brain is not a bone, but that line sounds better poetically. The mind-body connection is often ignored and overlooked, especially if there is nothing wrong. When something does go wrong, many people bury it deep in their psyche, like a squirrel that hides his nuts for the winter. This disguise over Continue reading
The concept of wellness can encompass many different pieces. However, when we hear this term the first thought that usually comes to mind is physical wellness. Maintaining a strong, healthy physique is a goal for many. So how can we improve our physical wellness? That is the million-dollar question that everybody wants to know—I know I do!
Physical wellness encourages us to care for our bodies through physical activity, proper nutrition, and positive thinking. It doesn’t have to be about Continue reading
MSAA recently asked Founder and Executive Director for Open Doors Organization, Eric Lipp, for advice on how to research and plan a wheelchair accessible trip. Read below for his 10 tips for planning an accessible vacation.
This is a great question and if you’re thinking about traveling this spring or summer, now is the time to start planning. You can never do enough due diligence! Also, I’ve never heard from a traveler, “I was over prepared!” Don’t be afraid to start at Continue reading
In his story “Does Multiple Sclerosis Cause Headaches?” posted on MutiplesSclerosis.net, author Matt Allen explores the correlation between MS and migraines. As someone with MS and also a migraine sufferer, he took notice as more and more attention was paid in the media to the possible correlation.
In his story, he cites a 2017 study that found that headaches are experienced by 78 percent of people newly diagnosed with MS.
This study alone is not enough to make a Continue reading
Here is my car. My loyal steed. Thirteen years old with 145,000 hard-earned miles on the odometer. Showing more than its share of bumps and scrapes. Door dings. And a couple of rust spots. Inside the carpet is worn in places while the driver’s seat has a stain of a long, forgotten fast-food burger.
“Wait a minute, what does this have to do with MS?” you ask.
Well hear me out. Continue reading