May 4, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Fatigue from MS is hard to both explain and understand Everyone’s multiple sclerosis (MS) is unique to them. The different disease types, lesion loads, and lesion locations are a few reasons why our symptoms are so variable. We with MS all live in the same neighborhood,…
April 27, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Our treatments for multiple sclerosis aren’t cures, but vital time-buyers Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have my 13th infusion of…
April 20, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Multiple sclerosis requires a different kind of can-do motivation I’m pretty good at doing what I’m told. You probably think that’s because I was in the Army for 22 years. You might even think it’s because of all the medical authority figures that have come with nine years…
April 13, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Multiple sclerosis might be the ‘uncanny valley’ of diseases I recall a conversation I had with an acquaintance soon after my diagnosis. I hadn’t progressed to a wheelchair yet, but my limp was noticeable, and he’d heard talk from mutual friends. “What is it that you…
April 6, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Being seen is an incredible thing when MS makes you feel invisible The kids had their spring break last week, so we loaded up and drove to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. I promise this column won’t be a review of the theme park and its accessibility (which was great,…
March 30, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister There’s no point in playing the blame game after the disease is diagnosed In a previous column, I wrote about the journey to my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In it, I mentioned that the neurologist had praised me for “taking this well.” I suppose I did — at first.
March 23, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister With multiple sclerosis, it’s hard to stop saying ‘I’m sorry,’ but you should Even if I resolved to improve my cardiovascular health by taking the stairs more often, I can’t. Mobility problems brought on by my primary progressive multiple sclerosis force me to use a wheelchair. Using a wheelchair, in turn, means…
March 16, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister When multiple sclerosis invades even my dreams I may not be able to turn in circles like a dog anymore, but I still have a few bedtime routines. Before I had an intrathecal baclofen pump, multiple sclerosis-induced spasticity would wake me up multiple…
March 9, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister An MS diagnosis can be confusing when it doesn’t fit your lifestyle A little over three years passed between my multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and my medical retirement from the U.S. Army. Even before the diagnosis, I knew something was wrong and had taken a desk job while searching…
March 2, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister The responsibility for raising MS awareness goes both ways Every once in a while, I wake up prepared to swing my legs over the side of the bed and get moving. That sleep-induced forgetfulness evaporates as soon as the reality of multiple sclerosis (MS) reminds me that…
February 23, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Learning to love — and accept — that person in the photograph We had family portraits made a few days ago. With a family of five, this never goes perfectly, so there was a little pre-photo briefing beforehand. There were some veiled threats, a promise of dinner after as a reward…
February 16, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Could decluttering your living space improve life with MS? I am not by nature a very neat person. I want to be. I like order, but I lack the discipline to maintain it. People tend to think that time in the military makes you neat and orderly for…
February 9, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister How multiple sclerosis leads to what I call ‘microinjuries’ “scabulous adj. proud of a scar on your body, which is an autograph signed to you by a world grateful for your continued willingness to play with her, even when you don’t feel like it.” — John Koenig, “…
February 2, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Eating Comfort Food Can Be Uncomfortable With MS Summer is one of the cruelest times of year for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thanks to Uhthoff’s syndrome, it’s hard to enjoy all the fun that comes with warm temperatures. I don’t seem to sweat anymore…
January 26, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister MS Makes Me Feel Like a Child Again, and Not in a Good Way The other day, my middle child opened the door while I was in the bathroom. If you have children, a surprise visit in what should be a sanctuary isn’t unusual, but in this case, what he said was. He…
January 19, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Multiple Sclerosis Memory Issues Force Me to Use New Methods Before multiple sclerosis (MS), I was pretty proud of my memory. For the most part, I still am, but like many others with this disease, I now have trouble recalling information. For me, it’s one of the most…
January 5, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister How I Respond to Typical Questions About MS From Children, Adults As I’ve probably mentioned before, my wife and I have three boys in grade school. This means that between school events, sports, and play dates, I’m around a lot of kids. Considering I use a wheelchair, my…
December 29, 2022 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister This New Year, I Resolve to Let Myself Hope The new year is just a few days away, so if you haven’t already, you might want to start thinking about resolutions, if you’re so inclined. Although I personally don’t bother these days, about half of American adults…
December 22, 2022 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister ”Twas the Night Before Christmas’: A Multiple Sclerosis Parody The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year. Multiple sclerosis (MS), of course, has a way of sucking the joy out of anything, but it can’t have my family’s Christmas. I might miss…
December 8, 2022 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Being Able to Laugh at Yourself Is Vital When Living With MS I had a glass of wine thrown in my face on the evening of my wedding anniversary. I was taken completely by surprise — well, maybe not completely. After all, the person who threw it has a reputation for…
July 25, 2024 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Disability pride is a tricky concept for me to relate to
July 22, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Reflecting on my weekly battle with multiple sclerosis-related migraines