Columns

February 12, 2021February 11, 2021

Britain Leads the World in Two Types of Jabbing

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

I was 6 years old when British boxer Henry Cooper knocked Cassius Clay on his bottom. (It was that long ago, folks — 1963. This was before Clay’s religious conversion ... Read more

February 12, 2021February 10, 2021

The First COVID-19 Shot Is Finally in My Arm

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

It’s a good thing my wife, Laura, is persistent. Thanks to her tenacity, we’ve both been able to get our first shots of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. According to the ... Read more

February 11, 2021February 9, 2021

My Fear of Failure Blocked Me From Both Risks and Rewards

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

Bravado is lost in the blink of an eye. Self-doubt erodes certitude until we find that our default modus operandi is to refuse. Opportunities, happiness, possibilities, and growth seem to ... Read more

February 9, 2021February 4, 2021

How Players Present and Perceive Disability on ‘The Circle’

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“Open Circle Chat!”  Have you seen the reality TV series “The Circle”? It was first shown in the U.K. on Channel 4, and there’s now a U.S. version on Netflix. ... Read more

February 8, 2021February 8, 2021

MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Plegridy, Telemedicine, AI for MS, Myelin Repair

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

FDA Approves Plegridy as Intramuscular Injection for Relapsing MS A common patient complaint about Plegridy has been that its subcutaneous injection procedure results in injection site reactions. This new formulation ... Read more

February 5, 2021February 2, 2021

A Catalogue of Tiny Gratitudes

A Life in Letters – a Column by Jamie Hughes, Columns

I know quite a few of you are dealing with copious amounts of snow right now, but there is not a speck of white stuff on the ground where I ... Read more

February 5, 2021February 3, 2021

Feeling on Top of Things Meant I Nearly Ended Up on My Bottom

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

Would I jinx it? In last week’s column “How I’m Staying on Top of MS’ Many ‘Gifts,’” I wrote about being on top of all my MS-induced ancillary symptoms. Wendy, ... Read more

February 5, 2021February 3, 2021

Upper Body Health Also Is Important for People With MS

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

My left hand was numb and weak when I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. For years after that, symptoms above my waist seemed just as prevalent as those below ... Read more

February 2, 2021January 29, 2021

After My Diagnosis, Daily Affirmations Changed How I Spoke to Myself

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

I am confident. I am amazing. I am enough.  Don’t worry, I’m not getting big-headed. I say these statements to myself every day. Why? It’s part of a routine I ... Read more

February 1, 2021January 31, 2021

MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Pediatric MS, Rituximab, AHSCT, Zeposia

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Tecfidera Safe and Effective Over Long Term in Children With RRMS, Trial Shows In my view, too little attention has been paid to treating children and teens with MS between ... Read more

January 29, 2021January 28, 2021

How I’m Staying on Top of MS’ Many ‘Gifts’

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

When I was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2009, my first question to my neurologist was, “Will I end up in a wheelchair?” She patted this question back with ... Read more

January 29, 2021January 27, 2021

Don’t Jump to Conclusions Over a Breakthrough MS Vaccine Just Yet

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

A medical website’s headline screamed, “Breakthrough Multiple Sclerosis Vaccine Shows Impressive Results In Study.” The New York Daily News joined in, highlighting a potential “breakthrough” vaccine. Other media outlets also were ... Read more

January 28, 2021January 26, 2021

To Thrive With SPMS, I’m Learning to Accept All of My Emotions

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

Optimism is kryptonite to the fear and doubt I keep inside. I am grateful for my cheerful disposition because it allows me to maintain balance. But balance is not healing. ... Read more

January 26, 2021January 21, 2021

The Trick That Helps Me Manage My Fatigue

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

I have a secret. You may roll your eyes at me when you hear this one.  It’s how I juggle spending time with family and friends, running a business, and ... Read more

January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Nanocrystals, ‘Cog Fog,’ Mapping MS, Ocrevus

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Clene Awaits US Patent Covering Gold Nanocrystals’ Use in Treating MS This is a different approach to MS treatment. It uses very tiny crystals to produce a chemical reaction. It ... Read more

January 22, 2021January 20, 2021

‘Soon May the Wellerman Come’: Connecting Through Music

A Life in Letters – a Column by Jamie Hughes, Columns

As hard as it is to believe, we’re now nearly a year into this pandemic. Thankfully, two vaccines are currently working their way through the system and into people’s arms ... Read more

January 22, 2021January 21, 2021

A Nod to the Long-running Comedy Show ‘No Sex Please, We’re British’

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

“No Sex Please, We’re British” was a British farce that opened in London’s West End in 1971 and ran until 1987. It was panned by critics, but having “Sex” in ... Read more

January 22, 2021January 20, 2021

Car Repairs Aren’t Easy When You Have MS

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

I love the car I drive, but I’ve hated going to the dealer to get my car serviced. In the four decades that I’ve lived with MS, my walking has ... Read more

January 21, 2021January 19, 2021

Comparing Ourselves With Others Doesn’t Improve Our Symptoms

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

Almost every characteristic of multiple sclerosis differs for each of us who has the disease. While we share commonalities inherent to multiple sclerosis that make us similar to one another, ... Read more

January 19, 2021January 15, 2021

How to Overcome January Blues in 5 Easy Steps

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Can January March? No, but April May!  OK, well, I thought it was funny.  Nothing beats the January blues like bad puns, right? Let’s face it. For most people, January ... Read more

January 18, 2021January 18, 2021

MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: CBD, Sativex, Lemtrada, Sexual Dysfunction

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Public-private Partnership Will Assess Therapy Potential, Effects of CBD Have you tried using CBD to treat your MS? I have. I’d hoped it would ease my leg spasms. Some people ... Read more

January 15, 2021January 13, 2021

My ‘Great Escape’ During a Long Pandemic

Columns, Covid-19, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

Unfortunately, mine didn’t involve a cool motorbike — it was the wrong kind, as somehow Steve McQueen had managed to steal a British one — and an impossible jump at ... Read more

January 15, 2021January 13, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Gets Thumbs-up from National MS Society

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

The advice issued Tuesday by the U.S.-based National Multiple Sclerosis Society about COVID-19 vaccination couldn’t be clearer: “Get your vaccine as soon as it is available to you.” New MS ... Read more

January 12, 2021January 7, 2021

Learning to Appreciate My Personal Progress and Growth

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“Ooh, I found some of your artwork in the loft. Did you still want it?” My mum’s beautiful, melodic voice sang through the phone during our regular chat.  “Heck yes! ... Read more

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021

MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: DMTs and Disease Progression, Obesity, Sunlight and Relapses, MS Fatigue

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Study: Past Long-term DMT Use Tapers Risk of Current MS Progression Since being diagnosed in 1980, I’ve used four disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), starting with Avonex (interferon beta-1a) in the late ... Read more

January 8, 2021January 11, 2021

The Hidden Blessing of Routines, Even in Times of Grief

A Life in Letters – a Column by Jamie Hughes, Columns

The holidays can be difficult for many reasons, but one of the things I struggle with is the breakdown of routines. The kids are home from school and spend way ... Read more

January 8, 2021January 6, 2021

Sorry, This Is Not About New Year’s Resolutions. Get Over It!

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

Now I know what it is like to write like Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson. Not because I have their talent (if only), but due to the inescapable fact ... Read more

January 8, 2021January 6, 2021

Can Amazon Lower Healthcare Costs?

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

The answer to whether Amazon, in partnership with a pair of financial giants, can make healthcare more accessible and less expensive for its workers is: Apparently, it can’t. About two ... Read more

January 7, 2021January 4, 2021

Positioning Myself to Embrace Change

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

There is something poetic about transitioning to a new year. It’s the melancholy of farewell fused with hopeful expectancy, the bittersweet juxtaposition of closing one door while opening another. Yet ... Read more

January 5, 2021December 22, 2020

I’m Setting New Year’s Goals, Not Making Resolutions

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

How do you feel at the start of a new year? I love it, because I enjoy defining my intentions and setting my goals for the coming days. Everything seems ... Read more

December 30, 2020December 29, 2020

Will Reduced Treatment Time Keep Ocrevus Competitive?

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

One of the key considerations when choosing a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) is how much it will disrupt your life. It’s one of several factors that need to be evaluated. Unlike ... Read more

December 22, 2020December 18, 2020

Through the Valley of the Shadow

Columns, Patiently Awakened - A Column by Teresa Wright-Johnson

Psalms 23 has always been my comfort when I needed respite from the hardships of life and chronic illness. My mother used to read that Bible passage to me as ... Read more

December 22, 2020December 17, 2020

How Much Energy Do You Spend Making Yourself Presentable?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“She smelled amazing!” I commented to my oblivious husband as we walked our muddy dog back home after our daily walk. “Did you smell that lady as she walked past ... Read more

December 21, 2020December 21, 2020

MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Stem Cell Study, Protein Predictor, Tolebrutinib and STEP Trials

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Stem Cell Therapy Shows 2-year Benefit for Progressive MS Patients in Phase 1 Trial Stem cell studies always catch my eye. This very small study involves people treated with their ... Read more

December 18, 2020December 15, 2020

Reclaiming Our Power When We Feel Powerless

A Life in Letters – a Column by Jamie Hughes, Columns

I don’t know about you all, but when I first learned I had multiple sclerosis, I felt utterly powerless. Weak. Beaten down. Cornered. Cowed. Yes, I experienced all of these ... Read more

December 18, 2020December 16, 2020

Santa Claus Is Still Comin’ to Town

Columns, Fall Down, Get Up Again- a Column by John Connor

Well, 2020 was a weird year for everybody. It was even weird for magical creatures, as these days, an awful lot of people believe they exist! It’s tough now to ... Read more

December 18, 2020December 16, 2020

Getting Back to Physical Therapy for My MS

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

Are you sitting down? I am, but I’ve been doing too much of that this year. For the past six months, I haven’t been using our community exercise room. I ... Read more

December 17, 2020December 14, 2020

What Do You See When You See Me?

Columns, Silver Linings - a Column by Jennifer Powell

If I were using a wheelchair, would you question why I use a handicapped placard? Perhaps some (or all) of the condemnation I now receive would diminish. Maybe the notes ... Read more

December 15, 2020December 10, 2020

Can Taking a Break From Tech Reduce My Fatigue?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

What would happen if you switched off all of your devices for a day? Phones, tablets, laptops, TVs — all of them switched off. Could you do it? How would ... Read more

December 14, 2020December 14, 2020

MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Fatigue Trial, Pediatric MS Relapses, Stem Cell Transplant

Columns, The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias

MS Patients Urged to Enroll in Clinical Trial Assessing Chronic Fatigue Treatments My “MS Wire” column 10 days ago reported on a study of MS fatigue treatments that compared three ... Read more