DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Jessie is the host of the DISabled to ENabled podcast and author of the “ENabled Warriors Symptom Tracker” book. She’s also an illustrator working with MS charities and magazines worldwide. She’s interviewed paralympians, radio DJs, chronic illness bloggers, marathon runners, and more. Jessie, based in the U.K., was diagnosed with MS at 22 years old and was told by a doctor to “go home and Google it” to find out what MS was for herself. Her own experience of being newly diagnosed so young was negative and scary, so she fills the internet with positivity for other anxious MS Googlers to stumble upon.

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, ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... Read more

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020

Disclosing Your Diagnosis: Is There a Right Way to Do It?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

For many of us, odd symptoms and strange feelings may fill our lives for years before we are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Others may be diagnosed more quickly, which ... Read more

December 1, 2020November 24, 2020

How Is Your MS Affected by Temperature Sensitivity?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“I’m too hot!” My brain was turning to mush as my body seemed to grow heavier. I could feel the energy draining out of me. This isn’t an uncommon complaint ... Read more

November 24, 2020November 20, 2020

How Lucy the Dog Changed My Life

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

A pet is the most loyal companion a person can have.  I’m currently sitting in my dad’s home office and typing away on my laptop. It’s nice to have ... Read more

November 17, 2020November 16, 2020

How to Survive the End of the Year When You Have MS

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

The end of the year is incredibly difficult. We already have to put up with more than others because of our MS.  In addition to that, the weather changes, the ... Read more

November 10, 2020November 6, 2020

Brain Fog and Changing Clocks

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Annually, I’m frustrated by the changing of our clocks due to the end of daylight saving time. It seems so straightforward: Time either goes backward or forward by an ... Read more

November 3, 2020November 2, 2020

6 Types of Fatigue and How They Might Affect Us

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Did you know that there are various types of fatigue, and each makes us feel slightly different than the others? A long while ago, I was at an MS ... Read more

October 27, 2020October 23, 2020

Managing Feelings of Uncertainty

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

It doesn’t take much for us to feel uncertain. It could be the result of a new symptom or doing something you’ve never before done, such as attending a ... Read more

October 20, 2020October 20, 2020

Finding Support in an Online Community

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Finding an understanding community makes such a difference to people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).  Our partners, families, children, and friends do their best to listen and empathize, but ... Read more

October 13, 2020October 12, 2020

How to Make Subcutaneous Injections Less Painful

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

When I was first diagnosed with MS, I didn’t have a choice about what disease-modifying therapy (DMT) I could take. My neurologist held up his hand and pointed one ... Read more

October 6, 2020October 2, 2020

What No One Tells You After a Diagnosis

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

A multiple sclerosis diagnosis is hard to process. Our body that we once knew so well suddenly feels untrustworthy. The truth is that the malfunctioning of our body is ... Read more

September 29, 2020September 25, 2020

Internal Conflict Could Be Affecting Your Symptoms

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“I’m just lazy,” I told myself. “Why can’t I do the things I need to do? I’m so exhausted and in pain all the time, I just want to ... Read more

September 22, 2020September 17, 2020

Why You Need to Be Tracking Your Symptoms for Your Medical Team

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease that can fluctuate at any time. It’s difficult to predict something that behaves so unexpectedly, but one thing you can do to feel ... Read more

September 15, 2020September 11, 2020

The Surprising Reasons You Might Be Bloated

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) struggle with intestinal issues. There is evidence of the link between gut health and MS.  Bloating is a common result of these issues. ... Read more

September 8, 2020September 4, 2020

5 Surprising Ways to Stay Cool Without an Air Conditioner

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

People outside the U.K. might not understand this column, but that’s OK. Not long ago, we had an entire week with temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) in ... Read more

September 1, 2020August 27, 2020

What Does ‘ENabled Warrior’ Mean to You?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

After I received my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, my nurse handed me a leaflet explaining how to tell those at my workplace I’m “DISabled,” and what that means, and ... Read more

August 25, 2020August 24, 2020

How Much Caffeine Are You Consuming?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Your alarm sounds at 7 a.m.  You grunt, smash the snooze button, and turn over. Ten minutes later, your alarm sounds again.  You smash snooze.  And repeat another five ... Read more

August 18, 2020August 13, 2020

A Simple Hack to Access Better Treatment by Doctors

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“What was the date of your last relapse?” the neurologist asked while peering over her glasses at me.  I stared back blankly and then shrugged with a sheepish smile. ... Read more

August 4, 2020July 30, 2020

3 Ways People Respond to Your MS Diagnosis — and 3 Alternatives

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

After you get a new diagnosis and are coming to terms with a new way of life, the next part is especially tricky. You have to tell others. “Urgh. ... Read more

July 28, 2020July 23, 2020

Managing Expectations on Your Wedding Day

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Rose petal confetti — made from the roses my dad had given me a few days before — rained down as the people I cared about most in the ... Read more

July 21, 2020July 20, 2020

‘You Look OK to Me’

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“You look OK to me.” He stood, towering over me, his big belly billowing from his shirt as he straightened up and lifted his chin, glaring down at me ... Read more

July 14, 2020July 9, 2020

Do You Wish You Could Return to the ‘Old’ You?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

I saw this question asked in a group somewhere not long ago and it got me thinking. Would I go back to the way I was before my multiple sclerosis ... Read more

June 30, 2020July 23, 2020

3 Things to Do If You’re Freaked Out by Blood Tests

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Note: This column was updated July 23, 2020, to remove erroneous information about red blood cells. We regret the error.  When I was newly diagnosed seven years ago, one ... Read more

June 23, 2020June 19, 2020

Being Free from Symptom Flares Makes Me Feel Like a Fraud

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

I’m a fraud. Or at least I feel like one.  When writing for a site about multiple sclerosis and setting up a business focused on my diagnosis to help ... Read more

June 16, 2020June 12, 2020

Advice for Helping a Loved One Through a Diagnosis

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Last week, the U.K. marked Carers Week, which got me thinking about how a chronic illness diagnosis often affects a patient’s entire family.  I also was reading how the ... Read more

June 9, 2020June 5, 2020

How to Go on Holiday Without Leaving Your House

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Who wants to go on holiday?!  I know, I know, we can’t physically go anywhere right now, but what if I told you that you could go anywhere you wanted while ... Read more

June 2, 2020May 29, 2020

Starting a Podcast: How I Fought Past Mental Barriers to Help Others

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

You’re chronically ill, super anxious, crazy shy, unconfident, and have no interviewing skills. To some, that recipe may sound like a terrible concoction to start a podcast. However, for ... Read more

May 26, 2020May 22, 2020

We Are What We Tell Ourselves

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

There’s something we need to address, right here, right now. Not all of you will like it or agree with what I’m about to say, and that’s OK. I ... Read more

May 19, 2020May 15, 2020

The Importance of Connecting with Family

Columns, Covid-19, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“You can’t say that!” Screams erupted over our Zoom chat resulting in infectious laughter. Admittedly, it was rude, too rude to mention, especially considering the unexpectedness of who said ... Read more

May 12, 2020May 8, 2020

Do You Speak Candidly with Your Partner About Your Diagnosis?

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

I hate needles. Being told I’d need to do injections was the worst news ever, second only to my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.  Sitting in the neurologist’s office with ... Read more

May 5, 2020May 1, 2020

3 Techniques to Help You Overcome Anxiety and Stress

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Bookmark this page! Why? Because in this column, I’ll give you three techniques to help manage your anxiety.  Anxiety and stress are unhelpful for anyone’s mind or body, particularly ... Read more

April 28, 2020April 28, 2020

What Will Our ‘New Normal’ Be When the Crisis Is Over?

Columns, Covid-19, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

What will the future look like after this coronavirus craziness is over?  One thing is certain: The world can’t go back to being “normal.” This time in isolation has ... Read more

April 21, 2020December 15, 2020

MS Patients Face Additional Barriers Due to the Coronavirus

Columns, Covid-19, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Well, this is super weird. Being told to stay home and leave our houses only for food, medication, or exercise is bizarre for those of us in England. It’s ... Read more

April 14, 2020April 10, 2020

An April Fools’ Joke that Wasn’t Very Funny

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

“I can’t move my head,” I thought.  It was 5 a.m. on April 1, and the realization of my full bladder prompted my wakening. But I soon realized I ... Read more

April 7, 2020April 1, 2020

How to Maximize Productivity While Working from Home

Columns, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

I’m grateful that I’ve worked from home for a long time. I imagine that, for many people, working from home for the first time is a difficult adjustment. How ... Read more

March 31, 2020April 28, 2020

How to Cope and Thrive During a Challenging Time

Columns, Covid-19, DISabled to ENabled – a Column by Jessie Ace

Living through this unique time is nothing like I’ve ever experienced before.  There’s so much doom and gloom around lately. I don’t know about you, but the constant government ... Read more