Accessible Travel

It’s officially Summer and the arrival of the season signifies travel plans and busy itineraries for some individuals. Whether it be local travel to sites in one’s community or journeying to farther places, individuals can benefit from planning ahead for their trip as much as possible.

I wanted to share some great information I came across in an article on tips for travelers with disabilities and another with tips for travel agents working with those who have disabilities. Many suggestions involve making arrangements and contacts beforehand to ensure facilities and destinations are Continue reading

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Relapse Management Ask Me Anything – A Recap

On Monday night, MSAA held its first Ask Me Anything session of MS Awareness Month 2018!  Focusing on the topic of Relapse Management, MS Expert Annette Okai, MD spent one hour answering more than 25 questions from our My MSAA Community members.

Some of the most popular questions from the AMA with Dr. Okai include:

  • “How do you differentiate relapse from progression or what I call symptoms creep?”
  • “Is there a disadvantage to waiting out the symptoms, and not initiating steroids?”
  • “How long does a relapse typically last?”

Find Dr. Okai’s answers to these questions and many more on the community at: healthunlocked.com/mymsaa

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A Community for the Season

We’re in the heart of the holiday season and while some individuals find themselves joyously celebrating, we also hear from clients who experience feelings of distress during this time of year. The holidays can elicit some very strong emotions and concerns for some, which makes it difficult because there’s an expectancy to be cheery and elated throughout the entire season even though it can be a time of challenge and pressure, too.

For those performing holiday tasks, making preparations, and attending gatherings, this can be a stressful and exhausting time and others may not always understand why. For those not celebrating, the holidays may represent a period to have to cope with and just push through. Perspectives and experiences can be very different during the holidays, and for those who may be having a difficult time, it’s important to know that you are not alone. You can find support, comfort, and understanding from others through My MSAA Community.

“This is a great place to touch base when you need a question answered, want to vent, or just need the company of somebody who understands.”
– Community Member

My MSAA Community is a free, online peer-to-peer forum for members to share their MS experiences. The community is a safe space that allows you to post a question and get answers from members of the forum, share your MS journey, connect with others, and contribute to ongoing conversations – all from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

If you haven’t done so already, please check out My MSAA Community today!

 

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MSAA to Host “Ask Me Anything”

Do you have questions about multiple sclerosis that you’ve been meaning to ask? Here’s your chance!

Join the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America on March 29, 2017 at 6:00 PM for an Ask Me Anything session with MS Expert, Dr. Barry Singer, on My MSAA Community. For one hour, Dr. Singer will answer your questions about MS posted in a designated conversation thread on the Community.

WHAT: MS Awareness Month “Ask Me Anything” (AMA)
WHO: MSAA and Dr. Barry Singer, Director of The MS Center for Innovations in Care in St. Louis, MO
WHEN: Wednesday, March 29th, 6:00 – 7:00 PM EST
WHERE: My MSAA Community on HealthUnlocked

If you would like to ask a question during the Ask Me Anything session, you will need to have or create a profile on My MSAA Community, our peer-to-peer online community in which you can share your MS journey, connect with others, and contribute to ongoing conversations – all from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Join us on My MSAA Community for this special “Ask Me Anything” session during MS Awareness Month to get answers to your questions!

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Find Answers, Get Support, and Ask Questions on My MSAA Community

Remember the days when the best way to communicate with people far away was pen pals and old-fashioned snail mail? Technology certainly has come a long way since then! Now, there are hundreds of ways to connect with others via the computer or your mobile device – and MSAA wants to help! My MSAA Community, powered by our friends at HealthUnlocked, is a peer-to-peer online support forum that connects members of the MS community on a daily basis. As a member of this friendly, supportive, and safe online forum, you can ask questions, contribute to ongoing conversations, or start your own conversation about your personal MS journey. Here are three examples of posts that were recently shared:

Some words of encouragement for those who may need them:

A member asking for advice from someone who has experienced similar symptoms:

*Please note that if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, it is imperative that you speak with a licensed medical professional in order to receive accurate medical care and explore the right treatment options for you.*

Someone sharing some positive thoughts on a good day:

Of course, there are many other types of posts that are shared daily on the community – artwork from artists with MS, pictures of pets and animals that help ease anxiety, and more! If you would like to get started and become a member of My MSAA Community, please visit http://www.healthunlocked.com/mymsaa

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Introducing My MSAA Community for People Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

My MSAA Community (1)MSAA is excited to announce that, in partnership with HealthUnlocked, we have launched a new peer-to-peer online community called My MSAA Community! This free online forum is a safe place for anyone who has been affected by MS, whether they have been diagnosed or are a care partner, to share their stories and find information and support.

Sometimes when you are going through something personal and you try to share your feelings or your experience with someone who hasn’t been through the same thing, you can find yourself hitting an emotional wall.  The person you share your feelings with may be able to empathize and understand what you are sharing to a certain extent, but they may not fully appreciate what you are going through, since they haven’t experienced it themselves.  In these situations you can feel like you need to talk to someone who “gets it” and has been through what you are going through.

My MSAA Community is designed as an online community and forum for people whose lives have been affected by multiple sclerosis to find each other and share their experiences as a way of providing support and information.  This community allows members to post questions and get answers from others on the forum and contribute to other ongoing conversations.

Follow or join the community at: https://healthunlocked.com/mymsaa

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