June 13, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Life Lessons from Children: Fall Down, Get Up and Don’t Stop Trying I have had the privilege of watching several children grow into adulthood, and witnessing their transformation has been priceless. I have experienced extreme joy, sorrow, pride, and disappointment; all of the many emotions associated with life itself. However,…
June 6, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Importance of Cultivating Your Circle Support is a crucial component in fighting chronic illness and adversity. Our humanity connects us and we thrive on relationships. Support may come in the form of family, friends, social services, groups and countless other methods. I…
May 30, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson ‘Patiently Awakened’ Explained: The Story Behind the Column Someone asked me to fully explain the title of my column, “Patiently Awakened.” My column title provides a brief description of what it means to me and my intentions for readers. I thought it would be best…
May 26, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson We Are Not Alone: Supporting Our Loved Ones as They Grieve Our Chronic Illnesses Grief is something that we have all experienced. The process is a natural human response to tragedy and loss. It is often cyclical and traumatic. I have read and written various articles referencing the grief process. Discussions…
May 16, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Intentional Living and Why Death Is Not My Greatest Fear A couple of weeks ago I wrote a column regarding end-of-life decisions. The reality is that the time will come for every human being. This journey of life and chronic illness continues to teach me salient…
May 9, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson MS, Chronic Illness and Motherhood: A Salute to Mothers I am well aware of the importance of a mother, or a mother figure, and the significant role she has in the lives of her children and community. I am blessed to have an awesome mother who…
April 25, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Chronic Illness and End-of-Life Decisions: Who are We to Judge? For those who read my column, I am certain you can see I am an emotional writer. This is a difficult column to write. I have been thinking about end-of-life decisions for months. I am reminded of…
April 19, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Season of Spring is Analogous to the Cycles of Chronic Illness This past week has been uplifting. The sun was out and the weather was enjoyable. Spring has officially arrived, and I was able to get out and really appreciate the nice days. I did not do much…
April 11, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Chronic Illness and Dating: the Benefits of Transparency The dating process is the prerequisite to most serious relationships. We invest a significant amount of time to assess whether we are compatible with the person of interest. Dating should be fun and we should look forward to future…
April 4, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Ocrevus: FDA Approval Triggers Hope, Optimism — and Concern — Among MS Patients The past few days have been remarkable in the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving Ocrevus to treat relapsing MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS) in the United States. Ocrevus…
March 28, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Detriment of Unsolicited Advice Regarding MS and Chronic Illness I am sure many of us have had instances where someone “offered” their advice on what is the best way to manage our illnesses. They are not medical professionals and many of them don’t suffer from the disease…
March 21, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson My Fight Song for Multiple Sclerosis Most of us have heard Rachel Platten’s Fight Song. It became an anthem for many people who struggle with illness and adversity. Fight Song has become one of my favorite odes. As a writer, I love…
March 14, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Advocacy and Chronic Illness: Always Take a Proactive Approach This was an eventful week. I was not feeling well and ultimately ended up in the hospital for a couple of days. I had severe neck pain that radiated to my shoulder and arm. In addition, I woke…
March 7, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Overcoming Feelings of Self-Doubt Brought on by Chronic Illness I believe myself to be a person with great self confidence. It was a long journey to arrive at this destination, but once I arrived I knew I was here. I realize that chronic illness doesn’t only affect…
February 28, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Raising My Voice to Raise Awareness About MS March is recognized by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America as MS Awareness Month. Awareness is a vital component of any illness. We must actively engage to collectively congregate and support the cause by way of our time,…
February 21, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Time, Stress and MS: When Saying ‘No’ is Good for Your Health Time. We all know it is important. Time is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present and future regarded as a whole.” In simple terms, time…
February 14, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Beyond Valentine’s Day: The Importance of Expressing Love Valentine’s Day is celebrated by many. We wait for this one day of the year to tell the ones we love how special they are. The proverbial Happy Valentine’s Day cards, flowers and candy will be given as…
February 7, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Words of Wisdom Are a Legacy Worth Sharing: Just Hold On The three words are powerful. My mother speaks them into my spirit frequently. She tells me to “Just hold on.” My mother is a woman who has withstood many tragedies. Both my parents have. They’ve lost their children,…
January 31, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson A Father’s Sage Advice About MS: Take All the Time You Need to Grieve MS is an onerous disease. There are times when I feel as if I am in the midst of a tsunami. Everything comes crashing in and all I want is a safe haven, a level of calm. The…
January 23, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson ‘It Could Be Worse:’ A Teachable Moment Have you ever had someone tell you “it could be worse?” They are making a valiant effort to comfort and console you. However, there is not much consolation in the words. They almost sound a bit insensitive.
April 18, 2024 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister Learning how to write a ‘SOAP’ note feels different after an MS diagnosis
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