Taking Ownership: My Journey Toward Better Mental and Physical Wellness

Posted on April 24, 2026 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

There comes a point where continuing the same patterns will only lead you further away from the life you actually want to live. For me, that moment wasn’t dramatic. It was quiet, but undeniable. Between living with multiple sclerosis, navigating the sudden loss of my mom, and recognizing that my overall health was trending in the wrong direction, something had to change.

Not eventually. Not when it was convenient. Now.

For a long time, I operated the way many people do—focused on responsibilities, pushing through fatigue, and accepting certain limitations as “just the way things are.” Over time, the signs became harder to ignore. Low energy. Brain fog. Poor cardiovascular health. A general sense that I wasn’t operating at the level I knew I was capable of.

Then a simple but heavy realization settled in. I still have a lot of life left to live. That thought forced a question I couldn’t avoid—am I doing what’s necessary to be here for it?

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It’s National MS Awareness Month!

Posted on March 16, 2026 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

The idea of self-advocacy is something that becomes incredibly important when you live with multiple sclerosis or care for someone who does. There are many ways to advocate for yourself, in medical decisions, in treatment conversations, and in daily life. One area that often gets overlooked, however, is how we advocate for our time.

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Progressing Through Heartache

Posted on December 5, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

As I write this on December 1, 2025, my mind turns to the year behind me. The first thought that rises is the people we lost. My mother passed away extremely unexpectedly on June 9. Her absence has sent a wave of grief through me, my wife, my four siblings, and her ten grandchildren. Yet as painful as it has been, I am grateful for what grew out of that difficult season. My brothers and sisters are now closer than we have ever been, and that closeness has carried us forward.

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Here I Go Again

Posted on November 7, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

Ten years! After about ten years away from the gym, I decided to walk back in the door. In that time, I’ve been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and staying active, but not in the way most people think. My life is full: busy professionally, engaged in the family business, raising four kids, and supporting a wonderful wife. That kind of activity keeps me moving, but at times it carries its own stress.

About a month ago, I felt a strong pull to return to structured exercise, first to safeguard my cardiovascular health and then to gradually reintroduce weight training. Not for huge muscular gain, but to strengthen and preserve what I already have. My mother’s passing at age 65 from a ruptured brain aneurysm after decades of smoking played a major role in that decision. Seeing mortality up close made me realize I want to be here long enough to watch my grandchildren grow, to enjoy years with family and meaningful work.

So each day I’ve headed to the treadmill. Thirty minutes, heart rate up near 150 beats per minute. The result has been therapeutic both mentally and physically. There’s pain in inertia but power in motion.

For my fellow men and women living with MS, I know our journeys differ. Some face greater physical challenges, while others may have more flexibility or energy to work with. My belief is that doing something, even small steps with the ability you have, can still produce a meaningful impact on well-being. Research supports this truth. Studies show that aerobic and resistance exercise improve mobility, reduce fatigue, and enhance quality of life in people living with MS (National Institutes of Health). Even more encouraging, exercise in MS is considered safe and does not worsen disease activity when properly managed (Cleveland Clinic).

If I had known how good I would feel simply by walking on the treadmill three times a week and steadily elevating my heart rate, I might have started sooner. But hindsight is a teacher, and the best time to begin is right now.

So that’s the invitation: whether you’re managing MS or simply navigating the busy demands of life, choose to move. Protect your heart, support your brain, and honor those you’ve loved and lost by caring for the life you still have before you.

Stay strong, inside and out.

About Sam:

Sam Fitch is a financial advisor based in Jamestown, New York, where he helps individuals and families build stronger financial futures through planning focused on cash flow, protection, and long-term goals. Before entering financial services, he spent 25 years working in his family’s restaurant business, which helped shape his strong connection to community and service.

Sam also lives with multiple sclerosis and is passionate about supporting others navigating similar challenges. Through his writing and advocacy work, he hopes to encourage people living with MS to pursue strength, resilience, and a meaningful life despite the obstacles the disease can bring. He is a husband, father of four, and active supporter of the MS community.

When Creativity Finds a New Way

Posted on October 17, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

I wouldn’t consider myself a very creative person. But when I think back to my childhood, I remember being endlessly creative. I would make things out of cardboard, draw pictures for hours, and feel completely alive in that process. Back then, I truly believed I had a knack for art.

As I grew older, though, that creative spark seemed to fade. Life, responsibilities, and practicality took its place. Yet, I’ve realized creativity doesn’t disappear; it just changes form. For me, that form became journaling.

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Reset and Focus

Posted on September 10, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

When we think of the word reset, we often picture restarting a computer or a phone. Most problems on a device can be fixed with a simple restart. But when it comes to us—our physical, human selves—we don’t have that option. We can’t just shut down and start over.

What we can do, however, is reset.

Sometimes that means taking a few moments to clear your mind, breathe with intention, and refocus on the task at hand.

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What Does a Safety Net Look Like?

Posted on August 6, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

When you think of a safety net, what comes to mind? Is it a circus act—a high-flying trapeze artist soaring through the air or someone being launched from a cannon, hoping to land softly?

The truth is, safety nets come in many forms. At their core, they are tools that provide security, comfort, and confidence.

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Beating the Heat with MS: Lessons from the Walk-In Freezer

Posted on July 9, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

Before my multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, I never understood why I always felt so warm—especially compared to others. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to work in my family’s restaurant. One unexpected benefit? A built-in cooling station. On particularly hot days, the walk-in freezer or refrigerator offered immediate relief when my body felt overwhelmed by the heat.

Like many of my fellow MS warriors, managing body temperature—especially in the heat—is a constant challenge. For me, warm weather isn’t just uncomfortable; it can completely derail my ability to function the next day. It’s frustrating because, here in Western New York, beautiful sunny days are few and far between. When I miss them, I feel guilty. I want to be outside enjoying them with my family—but sometimes, the risk just isn’t worth it.

So what’s my advice for managing the heat when you live with MS?

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The Power of Being Your Own Advocate

Posted on June 9, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

The word advocate means “a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.” But when it comes to self-advocacy, it means something even more personal—speaking up for yourself when no one else can.

As I sit down to write this, I find myself in a unique place. On one hand, I’m celebrating a beautiful milestone: my daughter graduated from ministry school this week. On the other hand, I feel completely worn out. We spent 24 of the 72 hours on the road just getting to and from her graduation, and the exhaustion has caught up with me. Add in the personal demands of life, a career that requires a lot of me, and countless other responsibilities, and it’s no wonder I’m feeling drained.

But here’s what I’ve learned: it’s OK to speak up for yourself. It’s OK to set boundaries with your time. It’s OK to give yourself permission to rest. That is self-advocacy.

And for those of us living with something like MS, self-advocacy isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. After a diagnosis, the floodgates open. Well-meaning friends and family start offering opinions, articles, and advice. But being your own advocate means having confidence in the path you’ve chosen with your medical team. Even in the early days, when things aren’t going smoothly or symptoms don’t seem to improve, you have to trust your team—and yourself.

Being a self-advocate means standing firm in the face of uncertainty. It means honoring your own voice even when your body feels weak. It means saying, “I’m not OK right now,” and knowing that’s a powerful, healthy thing to do.

As I look at the picture of my wife and our four kids on the wall, I’m reminded how blessed I am to have a support system. But even with that support, I’ve learned to listen to my body when it says, “Enough.” And in those moments, I have to speak up—not just for my health, but for my future.

Because sometimes, the strongest thing you can do… is rest.

About Sam:

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Posted on May 5, 2025 by MSAA

By Samuel Fitch

This is my first blog post—so I’m hoping readers will extend a little grace. I’m 44 years old at the time of writing, and lately I’ve been reflecting on the last two decades of my life. One question keeps coming to mind: Would my 24-year-old self be proud of the man I’ve become and the career I’ve chosen?

At 24, I was newly married—Jessica and I had tied the knot in 2003. We were less than a year into marriage, expecting our first child, and I was working full-time at my family’s restaurant. We hadn’t bought our first home yet, but I was riding high on love, youth, and big dreams. At the same time, I was still dealing with some self-destructive habits—drinking, gambling—trying to figure out who I wanted to be as an adult.

Fast forward twenty years, and life has taken some sharp, unexpected turns. Jessica and I have grown stronger together. We’re now parents to four incredible children—three daughters and our youngest, a son. But that early vision I had for my career didn’t quite pan out the way I imagined.

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