Blame it on the Brain…

By Scott Cremeans

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

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Physical Wellness

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

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10 Tips for Planning an Accessible Vacation

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

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Multiple Sclerosis and Headaches

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

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The New You

By Doug Ankerman

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.

Acceptance, they call it.“Wait a minute, what does this have to do with MS?” you ask.

Well hear me out. Continue reading

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A Life with Multiple Sclerosis Has Taught Me the Importance of Letting Go of Yesterday

Life with multiple sclerosis means letting go.

By Penelope Conway

I have a problem with expecting too much from myself which in turn hurts me more than helps. This year I have made it my purpose to evaluate my life and simplify everything I’m doing as much as I can. Is that even possible? There are things I want to do, things I need to do, and things I need to let go of. Multiple sclerosis has definitely changed my perspective about everything in life.

Some of the top priorities for me are Continue reading

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Grieving the Old You, Embracing the New You

The “Gifts” in a Diagnosis

By Alene Brennan

There a lot of emotions you experience when you’re diagnosed with an incurable, neurological degenerative disease.

I remember shortly after my diagnosis of MS, I read an article that talked about patients grieving the loss of the life they had and the life they imagined.

It struck such a cord, because it’s how I was feeling.

What do I have to stop doing now?

I knew Continue reading

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Young and Disabled with MS

Multiple sclerosis is one of the most unpredictable diseases there is, especially when it comes to young people. Symptoms vary widely, and the time it takes to progress can be long or very little at all.

A difficult condition to understand

In large part because it shows up so differently for so many in the community, it’s a difficult disease to understand. But, anyone living with it Continue reading

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Change Nothing and Nothing Changes

By Doug Ankerman

You take the meds, see your doctor and hope your annual MRI doesn’t show disease progression.

Seriously? That’s all you got?

Multiple sclerosis is laughing at you, man. Snickering at your lackluster effort. You cannot afford to sit back and wait. You must put up your dukes and fight back every single day.

MS doesn’t take Continue reading

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New Year Needs New Effort

By Scott Cremeans

Now that we have rung in this New Year and flipped double digits to enter into this new decade, we need more. We should desire something to make us stand out from the crowd as it is too easy to vanish into obscurity if we do not evolve. This affliction called multiple sclerosis should not define our lives but be a mere side note to the long list of who we indeed are. Every year we should grab Continue reading

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