New Year, Same MS

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Emily

For most, the new year comes with excitement of what’s to come. For those of us who battle MS, the new year comes with its fair share of worries, challenges and anxious thoughts of what the new year may bring. We reflect on our past year, perhaps your MS got worse, and you’re worried it won’t get any better, or maybe you are finally considered “stable”, and you’re concerned it is too good to be true and you will get worse. However you choose to look at the new year, we all worry one way or another. I am here to tell you that you are not alone.

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Hope Angel – January 2023 Artist of the Month

Posted on January 3, 2023 by MSAA

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 H ope Angel as the January Artist of the Month . Hope is from Seattle, WA.

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Where did the sunshine go?

Posted on October 4, 2022 by Claudia Chavez

Fall has arrived, and it brings many beautiful changes. The cooler weather is typically a welcomed change, comfort food is readily available, and trees change their color to all sorts of gorgeous shades of red, orange, and brown. I personally love the pumpkin overload and watching the rain while sipping on a cup of coffee, but many others find this time to be the cause of sadness, anxiety, and even dread. For many, this drastic change in weather and the holiday season can mean unwelcomed feelings and a need to be extra gentle with ourselves.

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You Know You Have MS When . . .

Posted on August 29, 2022 by MultipleSclerosis.net

The day you receive a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can feel surreal. It is common to be in denial and want to ignore it. But over time, you start to see that your symptoms match what the doctor explained would happen.

For most people, there is a moment when they cannot deny their symptoms or their diagnosis anymore. And life goes on.

To find out more about what that moment looks like, we turned to the MultipleSclerosis.net Facebook page. We asked the community to fill in the blank: “You know you have MS when _____________.”

More than 250 people in the community responded. Here is what they said.

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Jaclyn Spencer – July 2019 Artist of the Month

Posted on July 1, 2019 by John MSAA

Each year, MSAA features the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis in the annual MS Ability and Four Seasons Art Showcases, including highlighting one artist each month as our Artist of the Month. This month, we are proud to feature Jaclyn Spencer of Ogden, UT:

“My Cat. My Muse”

About the Artist Continue reading →

MSAA’s Art Showcase – Celebrating the Work of Artists Living with MS

Posted on June 10, 2019 by MSAA

This month, we asked our guest bloggers to share about the artists or artwork they feel speak to their own personal experiences. MSAA has long celebrated artists in the MS community through our Art Showcase initiative. This year, MSAA is recognizing ten years of beautiful artwork shared with us from members of the MS community!

Started in 2009, the MSAA Art Showcases are comprised of two categories: the MS Ability Art Showcase and the Four Seasons Art Showcase. Artists with a diagnosis of MS are invited each Fall to submit their best oil, watercolor, acrylic or Continue reading →

February 2019 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on February 1, 2019 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present the final piece in our 2018-19 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), like Patricia (below) who is a Wisconsin artist with multiple sclerosis.

We received many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share their work and their stories with you. Please visit our online gallery to view all of the submissions…and get ready next month for a new MS Art Showcase for 2019!

Patricia Heller – Sturgeon Bay, WI
Sunlight Blossoms

February Artist of the Month Patricia Heller Sunlight Blossoms

About the Artist

“Diagnosed twelve years ago, my life dramatically changed.

As the years have gone on, I have become better at both watercoloring and handling MS. With painting, I have learned to watch the movement of the water and the paint and capture it to create the images I intend. With MS symptoms, I have learned to listen to what my body is telling me and then use everything I have learned to manage MS.”

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January 2019 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on January 4, 2019 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2018-19 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), like Susan (below) who is a Texas artist with multiple sclerosis.

We received many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share their work and their stories with you. Please visit our online gallery to view all of the new submissions.

Susan Russo – Pearland, TX
Winter in Philadelphia

Susan Russo Artist of the Month Winter in Philadelphia

About the Artist

“I was diagnosed with RRMS in 2001. I’m not perfect. I have rough days. I cry. I get angry. But then, I pick up a paint brush and I start to create whatever I am feeling. I get lost in a beautiful world of lines and shades and colors. The creation of something visually beautiful helps me to refocus on the fact that I am so much more than my MS.

It’s my dream to change lives through my paintings and what better way to do so but to reach out to those suffering from MS and the myriad of other diseases people battle every day. If I can bring just one moment of joy or hope to one who is hurting, then, my mission is complete.”

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November 2018 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on November 2, 2018 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2018-19 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), like Judy (below) who is a Seattle artist with multiple sclerosis.

We have received many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share their work and their stories with you. Please visit our online gallery to view all of the new submissions.

Judy Oberto – Seattle, WA
Charlie

Charlie by Judy, Seattle artist with multiple sclerosis

About the Artist

“My mom always told me I was just like her mother who was ‘slow, artistic, had beautiful skin and had MS.’ Since I was over 50, I was breathing a sigh of relief that I had missed the MS part. Then at 57, in 2002, I was diagnosed with MS. The diagnosis did prompt some major changes in our life, including a move to a more accessible house in a lovely area near Hood Canal, WA. I am 72 now, and I am happy to say, MS has not affected my mobility or dexterity very much.”

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October 2018 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on October 1, 2018 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2018-19 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).

Alexandra Trovato – Carmel, NY
New Hampshire in October

New Hampshire in October by Alexandra Trovato

About the Artist Continue reading →

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