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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Big Fun, Small Budget – Make it a Staycation

By Dr. Eva Jackson

Have you ever wanted to free yourself from your daily routine, but an elaborate vacation was not within your budget? Maybe your family and friends do not have the time for a weeklong travel itinerary, or maybe you simply need a quick break without all the planning, packing, and expense that usually comes with traveling. Something unplanned can still feel refreshing, exciting, and meaningful. A staycation, a skill-cation, or even a bae-cation can all give you the feeling of taking a vacation without requiring you to go far from home. All these new terms for vacation can be included in the simple decision to slow down, step away from everyday stress, and enjoy a staycation.

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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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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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Summer Fun on a Budget: Finding Joy Close to Home

By Samuel Fitch

Having fun in the summer does not have to mean spending hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars on a fancy vacation, cruise, amusement park, or long-distance trip. Those things can be wonderful, but they are not the only way to make meaningful summer memories.

Sometimes the best kind of summer is a simple staycation right where you live.

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The Best Summer Memories Don’t Have to Cost a Fortune

By Dan and Jennifer Digmann

The mid-summer scent of grilled hot dogs hung in the air as the sun started setting and we twisted open another ice-cold beer.

Stadium organ music playing “Charge” faded into the background as our friend Erica asked Dan for another bag of Cracker Jack.

Welcome to an evening on our back deck.

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Celebrating Without Making It All About Me

By Samuel Fitch

I have no problem admitting that I enjoy recognition. I also know I can be a shameless self-promoter at times. But when it comes to the MS community, celebration feels different.

For me, celebration is not about pretending the hard days do not exist. It is about recognizing the small victories that often go unnoticed.

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