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.
Continue readingBy 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.
Continue readingBy 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.
Continue readingBy 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.
Continue readingBy 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.
Continue readingBy Angel Blair
Continue readingIt’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!
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.
Continue readingBy 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.
Continue readingBy 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.
Continue readingBy Angel Blair
You are good. You are worthy. You are more than enough. You are you and that is perfect. These are affirmations that everyone deserves to believe and live by. But I myself have always had a difficult time believing in my value as a person and trusting that I am enough and deserving of all that is good in this life. Why is it sometimes easier to judge and ridicule ourselves, rather than celebrate who we are and what we’ve accomplished? Because we’re too hard on ourselves and act as our own worst critics. Because we think we need to be perfect. Nonsense. What we need to do is recognize the wins; the big, the small, and the in-between that’s made us who we are. We need to celebrate us.
Continue reading