The Power of Invisible Armor: Why We Do Not Fight MS Alone

By Dr. Eva Jackson

Every MS diagnosis begins with a different story. For me, the diagnosis brought an unexpected sense of relief. After seven long years of searching for answers, I finally had a name for what was going on with my body. But that relief came with weight. The journey to diagnosis can be lonely, costly, exhausting, and filled with questions about the future. In the beginning, learning that you have an incurable disease affecting your nervous system can feel as if the world around you are still moving while your own world has come to an abrupt stop.

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Showing Up Builds Community

By Dan and Jennifer Digmann

To us, community is more than a group of people who happen to live in the same town, attend the same church, share an interest, or know our story.

Community is the people who show up.

They celebrate with us when life is good, stand beside us when life is difficult, and remind us that we never have to navigate life completely alone.

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It Takes a Village

By Stacie Prada

When I think of my community, I first think of where I live, my friends and neighbors who will show up for me, and those I’m compelled to show up for. In times of crisis, a surge of community help is noticeable. A call to action is made, and people rise to the occasion.

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Building Your Community

By Angel Blair

When it comes to relationships, it’s important to surround yourself with people you feel comfortable with and enjoy being in the company of. The great part about this is that you can build your own community of people who appreciate, understand, and like you for you. At one time, community was only interpreted as the representation of your neighborhood or town where you live, but community can mean so much more. 

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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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Benjamin Roma – MSAA’s August 2026 Artist of the Month

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 Benjamin Roma as August’s Artist of the Month.  Benjamin is from Seattle, WA.

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Self-Guided Summer Fun 

By Stacie Prada

When looking for things to do in the summer months, I think of my favorite experiences and memories. Some were big, pricey events with lots of planning, and some cost next to nothing, were memorable for some reason, and were special for who I did them with. 

This summer I’ll have close family visit me. Our primary goals are to spend time together and relax. Still, it’s the perfect opportunity to create an indulgent staycation for me and a fun vacation for them. They’ve already visited many times, so my goal is to do more of what we’ve enjoyed in the past and find new experiences for us to enjoy together. 

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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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