“How are you?” is a standard greeting among friends and acquaintances. It can be a societal expectation or norm. Answering when living with a chronic disease like multiple sclerosis (MS) is anything but simple. Those with MS are rarely the standard answer of “fine.”
MultipleSclerosis.net published an article about navigating the “How are you” question with MS. The article resonated with many members, and it generated a number of comments! Here are some community insights.
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By Samuel Fitch
This is my first blog post—so I’m hoping readers will extend a little grace. I’m 44 years old at the time of writing, and lately I’ve been reflecting on the last two decades of my life. One question keeps coming to mind: Would my 24-year-old self be proud of the man I’ve become and the career I’ve chosen?
At 24, I was newly married—Jessica and I had tied the knot in 2003. We were less than a year into marriage, expecting our first child, and I was working full-time at my family’s restaurant. We hadn’t bought our first home yet, but I was riding high on love, youth, and big dreams. At the same time, I was still dealing with some self-destructive habits—drinking, gambling—trying to figure out who I wanted to be as an adult.
Fast forward twenty years, and life has taken some sharp, unexpected turns. Jessica and I have grown stronger together. We’re now parents to four incredible children—three daughters and our youngest, a son. But that early vision I had for my career didn’t quite pan out the way I imagined.
Continue readingLiving with multiple sclerosis (MS) takes a huge toll on the body. One of the greatest challenges is mobility changes. Those living with MS often find their activity level changes. Things that once came easily, such as walking, cooking, gardening, and shopping, become difficult.
MultipleSclerosis.net published an article about coping with changes in mobility. Many community members responded by sharing their experiences. Here are some of their insights.
Continue readingAs MSAA continues to highlight MS Awareness Month this March through the campaign theme of “Empowered from the Start with MSAA,” our efforts to raise awareness and provide vital support to the MS community remains our priority. This month specifically, we are spotlighting both educational and supportive resources that may be of use to those who are newly diagnosed and navigating their MS journey. With this in mind, MSAA would like to present one of the many free resources available to the community – MSAA’s Podcast.
This month, MSAA has released a three-part podcast series titled, “If I Knew Then: Reflecting on an MS Diagnosis.” This special series highlights expert insights for newly diagnosed individuals, as well as the personal stories and experiences from community members with MS.
Being diagnosed with MS can be disheartening news for many since the road ahead can be so scary and unpredictable. If left undiagnosed, it can lead to severe disability over time.
It is of utmost importance that you schedule your appointments with your neurologists and other care providers regularly so that they can help with managing your symptoms and keeping your MS at bay. The high costs associated with the treatment make medical coverage crucial as over time, MS may unfortunately place a financial strain on individuals and families. Fortunately, there are organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) can direct you to valuable resources while navigating the bumps along the way.
Continue readingDear Friend,
I’ve been thinking about you so much since you shared your recent diagnosis of MS. I know this probably feels like a lot – like the ground has shifted under your feet – and I wish I could be there in person to give you the biggest hug. Since I can’t, I wanted to write you this letter instead.
I don’t have all the answers (who does?), but I want to share a few things that I’ve come to learn about MS. Just remember, you are not alone. Not now, not ever. I am here for you, and so are your closest friends and family.
Continue readingAs we continue to highlight MS Awareness Month this March, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) remains dedicated to raising awareness of multiple sclerosis while also providing vital resources and support for the community. MSAA recognizes that this month is especially powerful for the MS community as we reflect on how far we’ve come, the challenges that remain, and the importance of supporting one another. In honor of this special time, MSAA would like to bring attention to the many free programs and services offered that are designed to improve the quality of life for those affected by MS. One of the many free tools MSAA provides is My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online forum for individuals with MS.
A multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can stir up many emotions. Fear, anger, relief, denial, and confusion are common. Each person’s experience is unique.
The team at MultipleSclerosis.net invited the community to “Share what life with MS after diagnosis really feels like.” Respondents provided their insights into life after diagnosis.
One common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is feelings of numbness and tingling. Most often, this symptom affects the hands or feet. It makes everyday tasks more difficult. Holding a toothbrush or standing to cook is challenging when hands and feet go numb.
MultipleSclerosis.net recently shared an article on this topic. Many community members shared their experiences with these symptoms.
Many symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are challenging to endure. For example, having difficulty swallowing is a common issue with MS. It can prevent any pleasure or comfort when eating a meal. Many people with MS report being discouraged from eating at all due to the severe pain and terror it can cause.
We reached out to the MS community to learn more. We asked, “Do you ever feel like your food gets stuck in your throat or experience other difficulties when it comes to swallowing food or drinks?”
We received 280 responses to our prompt! The MS community was moved to share their symptoms.
