Embracing my role as an MS advocate

Denise Schneiders embraces her role as an MS advocate. (Photos courtesy of Denise Schneiders) Day 28 of 31 This is Denise Schneiders’ story: My life changed on March 12, 2024, with three words: “You have MS.” As an athlete, wife, mother, teacher, coach, and business owner, I had always…

Just before a deployment, all the teams in my military unit received a large supply of medical gear that included two medical backpacks, or aid bags. As the team’s medic, I elected not to bring them, because I already had a bag that I liked, and the new ones looked…

  Hollie Amadio meets with Stefanie Barone, a staffer for U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-MD, to advocate for the Safe Step Act. (Photos courtesy of Hollie Amadio) Day 27 of 31 This is Hollie Amadio’s story: “Hollie, you’re having a stroke from eating all those chocolate eggs!” my dad…

“Caregiving,” a two-hour documentary film centered on the daily experiences of six family and professional caregivers in the U.S. will premiere on PBS and its media outlets in June. Executive produced by Bradley Cooper, the documentary is inspired by his own experience caring for his father, who was diagnosed…

Note: This story was updated April 4, 2025, to clarify the specific disability measures and that tolebrutinib is believed to target smoldering neuroinflammation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review to an application from Sanofi seeking the approval of its BTK inhibitor…

Dimika V. Cavalier is shown in a photo she uses for advocacy work. (Photos courtesy of Dimika V. Cavalier) Day 26 of 31 This is Dimika V. Cavalier’s story: My journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) began in my early 30s. I was having episodes of vertigo that would…

Nearly 50% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) report pronounced fatigue, which has a significantly negative effect on their well-being, a new study from Finland has found. In an analysis of data from more than 500 patients from the Finnish MS registry, individuals with self-perceived fatigue were more likely…

A 3-year-old Chris Delemater smothers his aunt, Jenn Powell, on the couch, along with Toby the dog. (Photos courtesy of Jenn Powell) Day 25 of 31 This is Chris Delemater’s story: What is it like to know someone with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Have I learned anything from someone…

For every 1,000 employees in the U.S., about $580,000 is spent each year in excess healthcare costs and lost work time from five autoimmune diseases alone, including multiple sclerosis (MS), a report from healthcare startup Welltheory shows. This represents about 5% of the typical annual healthcare spending for a…

Karly Isaacson’s mother, Donna Ball, laces up Karly’s dress for her wedding last summer. (Photos courtesy of Karly Isaacson) Day 24 of 31 This is Karly Isaacson’s story: When I think of empowerment and multiple sclerosis (MS), I think of my mom. I had my first MS…

More Stamina, a gamified mobile app, helped a small group of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) better manage their fatigue by becoming more aware of their energy levels and planning their activities more effectively, according to a study from Finland. “Fatigue is an invisible but life-altering symptom…

Treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) may help delay disability progression in people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) over Rebif (interferon beta-1a), an analysis of data from two clinical trials suggests. While the trials initially failed to demonstrate slowing disease progression, a significant benefit was observed when accounting…

Michelle Lesmeister posed for this headshot in February 2025. (Photos courtesy of Michelle Lesmeister) Day 23 of 31 This is Michelle Lesmeister’s story: “You’re the strongest person I know — you will be OK.” Lesmeister takes her dog Barrett for an afternoon walk. Who wants to be just…

Ena Salcinovic celebrates her birthday three years after her MS diagnosis. (Photos courtesy of Ena Salcinovic) Day 22 of 31 This is Ena Salcinovic’s story: Saturday. Finally. A good day. I still believe that even though I overslept and missed the Red Cross and our weekly international cooking. I…

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM), in which an implanted device delivers mild electrical pulses to the nerves that control the bladder, led to sustained improvements in urinary function in half of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who underwent surgery to have the device put into place, according to a review of…

Kevin Byrne grew up in Bronx, New York. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he was struck by multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1999 while commanding an Army Air Cavalry Troop overseas. Now medically retired, he lives with his daughter, Rogue, in Portland, Oregon. Kevin works…

Starting Tysabri (natalizumab) early in multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment may lead to better outcomes, including greater reductions in relapse rates and less use of MS-related healthcare services over starting it after other therapies. That’s according to a U.S. healthcare claims analysis of more than 1,500 adults with MS.

Ross Libby smiles for a photo. (Photos courtesy of Ross Libby) Day 21 of 31 This is Ross Libby’s story: I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2007 when I was a senior in college. I had been very sick with vertigo and gastrointestinal issues…

You know what they say about assuming? You don’t? Well, I just assumed that you did, so I guess the joke’s on me. I was going to start this column off by saying that people make a lot of assumptions about the disabled, but now I’m not sure that “assumption”…

Evidence of neurological damage over time — known as dissemination in time, or DIT — may not be necessary to reach a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) for all patients, according to a report by U.K. researchers. Traditionally, an MS diagnosis would typically require both DIT and DIS,…

Jenn Powell wears her MS ambassador shirt with pride. (Photos courtesy of Jenn Powell) Day 20 of 31 This is Jenn Powell’s story: Hosting The Multiple Sclerosis Podcast has been eye-opening, exposing me to the diverse and inspiring voices within the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. Every guest I…

Cognitive impairment is common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have not previously received treatment, affecting about 1 in 4 patients, and rates are particularly higher in those with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), a new study found. “The current study demonstrates that a significant portion of MS…

Latifa Janahi takes a five-day course of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in her body. (Photos courtesy of Latifa Janahi) Day 19 of 31 This is Latifa Janahi’s story: I am a woman from Bahrain Island who’s passionate about technology and baking. After working in the tech field for 10…

Myrobalan Therapeutics has been awarded a grant of more than $850,000 from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to advance its new oral candidate MRO-002 for treating progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The funding was made through the society’s Fast Forward program, which seeks to bridge the…

Artificial intelligence (AI) platforms did better than most neurologists at answering a 20-question assessment about multiple sclerosis (MS) in a recent study, suggesting that AI may be a helpful tool for MS care. Neurologists with an MS specialty scored as well, on average, as the AI platforms, while neurology…

Dee Ecklund, riding her Alinker, finishes a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving 2024. (Photos courtesy of Dee Ecklund) Day 18 of 31 This is Dee Ecklund’s story: I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason. Maybe we have some things to learn, teach, or even both. With the…

I flew to Detroit for work this month, then on to Phoenix to see my parents, and then back home to Kansas City, Missouri. But traveling by airplane has gotten more complicated for me because of my multiple sclerosis (MS). I don’t need assistive devices, so I know my…

Ronald Harris shows off his new power wheelchair. (Photos courtesy of Ronald Harris) Day 17 of 31 This is Ronald Harris’ story: Harris is seen working from home, using a desk that accommodates his power chair. My journey with multiple sclerosis (MS) began with an unexpected diagnosis…

The law firm Kalfus & Nachman will host a special event to raise funds for multiple sclerosis (MS) research, patient care, advocacy, and increasing disease awareness. The fundraising will be held Friday, March 28, at 1:00 p.m., in the back parking lot of Kalfus & Nachman’s building, 870…

Antibodies that target proteins from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) also can inadvertently attack proteins in the brain, which may help to explain the link between EBV and multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study shows. Findings also indicate that antibodies targeting EBV as well as a person’s genetics both…