July 2016 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on July 1, 2016 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2016-17 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

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.

July Artist of the Month:
Karen Schatz – Atlanta, GA
Shark

About the Artist:
“My first love was art but I gave it up and went to work in legal IT to support my family. After years of horrendous hours I wrote off a lot of my weird symptoms to working such long hours. I went to numerous doctors but wasn’t diagnosed until last year.

Art has helped me find myself again. I can’t always hold the brushes, but when I can paint I always feel more like me.”
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June 2016 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on June 3, 2016 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2016-17 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

June Artist of the Month:
Elana K. Rosen – Cincinnati, OH
Lunchtime Dining

About the Artist:
“My name is Elana K. Rosen and I have always drawn and painted. I was diagnosed with MS in my thirties. Occasionally I have a hand tremor. When this happens my art is looser and I cannot paint detail. Painting makes me happy and helps me feel a sense of accomplishment.”
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May 2016 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on May 4, 2016 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2016-17 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

May Artist of the Month:
David Desjardins – Union, ME
Country Cottage

About the Artist:
“Painting has always been a rewarding way to express myself. Ironically, I find that as my disabilities increase, so does the quality of my work increase.

To me, there is no better feeling than hearing someone tell me how much they love a painting I created. It gives me a tremendous feeling of well-being and accomplishment every time I finish one.”
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April 2016 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on April 1, 2016 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2016-17 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

April Artist of the Month:
Debra Robert – Lake Worth, FL
Constellation des Colores

Debra Robert - Constellation des Colores

About the Artist:
“I have been painting for over 25 years. I have a BA in theatre arts and an MFA in film producing. My career has taken me around the world, working in live events/concerts/conferences for over 20 years.

Now diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I had to retire from my exciting, vibrant career. I am determined to put my energy into art full-time, surrounding myself in a world of color and light. I pull my inspiration from years of the lighting design, sounds and imaginative shapes from live performance production.”
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MSAA and MultipleSclerosis.net Partner for a Live AMA

Posted on March 29, 2016 by MSAA

MSAA recently partnered with MultipleSclerosis.net to co-host a live Facebook “Ask Me Anything”. For one fast-paced hour on March 22nd, everyone from the multiple sclerosis community was invited to ask questions about living with MS and have their questions answered by MSAA Client Services Specialists and MultipleSclerosis.net staff and patient advocates.

Read more about this AMA and find out what topics were discussed at MultipleSclerosis.net.

AMA March 22 2016

A special thanks to our friends at MultipleSclerosis.net for allowing MSAA to be a part of this special MS Awareness Month event and for helping improve lives today for the entire MS community!

March 2016 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on March 4, 2016 by John MSAA

All-New Artists for MSAA’s 2016-2017 Art Showcase!

As part of MS Awareness Month, MSAA is very proud to present our 2016-2017 Art Showcase, celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

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:

As in the past, we will highlight one Artist of the Month throughout this year and share their artwork and their story.

Presenting MSAA’s Artist of the Month for March

MSAA is very excited to present the first Artist of the Month for our 2016 Art Showcase:

March Artist of the Month:
Ginny Townsend – Montgomery, AL
Field of Flowers

About the Artist:
“Before I was a wife, mother, grandmother; before I had MS, I was ME! It took a decade for a diagnosis! What a relief to finally know!

In between exacerbations, I ignored “MS”. Maybe it would ignore me! Then 9-11 happened. On 9-12, I had a major exacerbation. I became permanently disabled. At first I was in a wheelchair. Now I use a cane and walker. I was bored so I began painting on mayonnaise jars! I also paint on canvas.”
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Heard about our 2016 Improving Lives Benefit and Online Auction yet?

Our Online Auction is Now Open!
Event attendance is not required for this special opportunity. Click the Online Auction link below to view the packages and register for bidding. More packages available soon.

Please note: online auction will close on Wednesday March 30, 2016 at 9:00 PM EST.

February 2016 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on February 3, 2016 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2015 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

February Artist of the Month:
Jennifer Atwood – A Wedding Centerpiece of Rose Balls and Orchids

About the Artist:
“I was officially diagnosed with MS in 2007. Since then I had to retire and collect SSDI. I love watercolor but that was not my best media of my art degree in college. I now do this for my own satisfaction and the least expensive art I can do at home. I am 57, married, and have 4 daughters! All except one have left our nest, the youngest is 21. My husband Edward and I have been married 11 years.”
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Be inspired – please send an online card featuring artwork by MS artist Jennifer Atwood and spread awareness of MS and MSAA.

January 2016 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on January 6, 2016 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

January Artist of the Month:
Janet Laycox – Winter

About the Artist:
“My name is Janet Laycox. I was diagnosed with MS in 1994. I have Secondary Progressive MS and use a walker to get around.

I always feel so good when people tell me that they are amazed at how much I do. Yes, as most of us MS’ers know, we can do what anyone else does but in our own way. I have been volunteering at the West Milford Animal Shelter for 12 years. I am also a volunteer at our support group for MS, the ADA committee for my township and the Passaic County Council on Disability. A few of us from the Squeaky Wheels MS support group thought it would be fun to join in a community center oil painting class.

Well here is one of the first oil paintings I ever did. I must say I really enjoyed it, will continue and hope to improve.”
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Be inspired – please send an online card featuring artwork by MS artist Janet Laycox and spread awareness of MS and MSAA.

What Webster Doesn’t Tell You About MS

Posted on December 21, 2015 by MultipleSclerosis.net

Webster’s Dictionary defines MS as: a disease of the nervous system that causes the gradual loss of muscle control. But for anyone experiencing multiple sclerosis on a daily basis, you know that’s only half the story. Our fantastic contributor, Stephanie, wrote an article about the “Lesser Known MS Evils” and the community loved it.

Here are some of the odd, unexpected symptoms our MS community experiences:

“It itches, it burns, it’s even numb!”

Itching
- The itching has been the most annoying for me. It always happens in one part of my back, and doesn’t stop with scratching
- My hands itch all the time. I always thought I just had dry skin!
- I get itchy skin all over my face and even my eye lids!
Burning
- My tongue has felt burnt since I was diagnosed a little over 2 years ago.
- The burning has been so bad
- It literally feels like I’m burning. I get so hot and sweat just pours off me!
Numbness
- I can never tell if I’m cold or hot!
- Sometimes the left side of my face just decides to go numb.
- I get so much numbness. You would think if it’s numb, it wouldn’t be able to hurt. But nope. I get both

“It’s like my body forgets how to…”

Swallow…
- Nothing like having to explain that my body “forgot” how to swallow
- I had trouble swallowing when I first was diagnosed. Took me hours to finish dinner!
- I regularly choke on my own spit.
- Mine mainly happens with drinks, especially warm ones, and every so often I “choke” for no reason. It can be especially embarrassing at work
Talk…
- Finally some validation for being a “Low Talker!” Now, when my husband says, “Why are you screaming at me?” I can justify it!
- The cadence of my speech has definitely altered over the last 2 years.
- My voice has been shot for years and I can’t seem to pronounce basic words anymore
Breathe…
- Sometimes my body forgets if it was breathing in or out…not a good feeling, especially when I’m alone.
- I definitely experience the breathing and swallowing issue, that is so painful and scary
Write…
- Itching is one of my worst also my handwriting has gotten so bad.
- Oh the handwriting. On bad days, my penmanship looks like a 5 year old attempting to write with their non-dominant hand.
Think…
The only way I can describe it is like a short-circuit feeling in your head.
My family has been the saying that I’m losing it. YES! That’s exactly how I feel!
It’s like pregnancy brain…but ALL THE TIME

How about you? Any strange symptoms you’ve experienced from your MS? Maybe ones you didn’t even know could be due to your MS? Share with us in the comments!

December 2015 Artist of the Month: Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

Posted on December 4, 2015 by John MSAA

MSAA is very proud to present our 2015 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by MS.

December Artist of the Month:
Bob Donner – Winter Birches in the Snow

About the Artist:
“I have MS, but I don’t let that define me. In my wheelchair, it’s obvious that I’m physically challenged, but I’d much rather be known as the ‘artist’ in the wheelchair.

Shortly after my diagnosis, I was on my computer one day and, on a whim, drew a bear using my mouse as my ‘pencil.’ It was far from perfect, but resembled a bear well enough to capture my interest. I began steadily developing the skill, and now most of my day is spent at my computer, mouse in hand, creating images on the screen.

When away from home, I’m observing everything around me, wondering how I would draw it. I especially like the drama of sunrises and sunsets. Each one is a unique display lasting several hours. My advice: Watch as many as you can, with the wonder of a five year old, and the eyes of an ‘artist.'”

Be inspired – please send an online card featuring artwork by MS artist Bob Donner and spread awareness of MS and MSAA.

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