Trading Teacups for Buckets: Keeping Dreams Alive with SPMS
They say that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. While I agree with these two, a third inevitability is capitulation. Why do we have theme parks when we have lives? We…
Silver Linings — Jennifer Powell
Jennifer is the Brand and Marketing Manager for Bionews (Multiple Sclerosis News Today is a subsidiary of Bionews). Jenn is also the host of the Multiple Sclerosis podcast, as well as a featured columnist. An active advocate in the MS community, Jenn imparts her hopeful optimism into real-life challenges facing the MS community. Now with secondary-progressive MS, Jenn continues to elevate the patient voice to better the lives of those living with MS. When not writing, Jenn enjoys volunteering with her local golden retriever rescue, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Jenn resides in Orange County, California, with her husband and golden retriever.
Featured Post
I’m Giving Myself the Gift of Grace This Christmas
The ballerina twirls in the late afternoon light. As if on cue, Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” suite begins to play. I’m lost in the dimly lit ornaments as my mind wanders. I fall into a deep nostalgia.
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Perception Over Pain: Making a Mental Shift with SPMS
I am a positive person with not-so-positive moments. These moments don’t quantify my essence. Nevertheless, they sure try. I work hard to keep the negativity at bay, but I don’t always succeed. As I…
With an Autoimmune Disease, Fear of a Measles Outbreak Is Real
Few things scare me. I mean, truly frighten me to my core. While I flee from bees and scream at spiders, I have been both stung and bitten. Scary movies, no matter how asinine,…
The DMT Decision: Tried and True or Shiny and New?
I spend a great deal of time in my head. I think. A lot. Perhaps I do so more than I should, but then again, it is a haven…
The Unlikely Warrior: Finding Purpose with SPMS
I am balancing my laptop on one pillow and a leg brace. I have myriad MS-related health issues; alas, this is not among them. After meniscus surgery, aggressive arthritis, and a loss…
Be the Change with Walk MS 2019
Fatigue falls hard as I look out on the first hot day of the year. I…
Losing Fear of Change with SPMS
I am a strategist. I think things through. This attribute is borne of necessity. A birthday dinner is not complete without my exit plan. As I wait to be served, I realize…
Intimacy and MS: A Lesson in Discovery
Living with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis is a lesson in discovery. I strive to manage life with MS one day at a time. My disease touches all aspects of my life. One of…
My Second Act: Turning 50 with SPMS
If a cat has nine lives then I have at least twice as many. One day shy of my 50th birthday, my mind runs a vivid montage of years past. I close my…
It’s Important to Know Your Limits with SPMS
I had a busy weekend. I made it to an event I had so wanted to attend and survived it. Our golden retriever rescue had a volunteer mixer, and both Abby and…
Faith Amid Funkiness When SPMS Brings the Blues
I am in a funk. It took a lot of mental volleying to admit this. I am preconditioned to synonymize feeling down with weakness. This is simply untrue. I am strong. But I am…
There Are Angels Among Us: I’m Grateful for the Helpers
I like to keep my life as normal as possible. This can be difficult given the physical challenges multiple sclerosis and chronic pain pose. Nevertheless, I try. Saturday was one of those days.
Asking for Help with Secondary Progressive MS
I have a hard time asking for help. Even when it’s offered, my knee-jerk reaction is to decline. Only in desperation do I reach out for, or accept, much-needed assistance. I say…
Creative Deconditioning for Behavior Modification
I watched the sunrise with dread, my peaceful time disquieted by my own internal chatter. An 80-degree day would soon replace the cool mid-January morning. Not my favorite. I am a creature of conditioning.
I Make Myself OK: Musings with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Not everyone is going to get it. And by “it” I mean our disease and the way it affects our lives. Few understand our limitations or the ramifications of pushing past them. Many…
Seeing Through Solu-Medrol — Miracle, Menace, or Both?
Today I came back to myself. For two months, I have been encapsulated in a hazy bubble. I could not kick this persistent bronchial condition and began to get frustrated. After three courses…
Reflections: A letter to my newly diagnosed self
Last updated May 5, 2023 As the year comes to a close, I find myself in a reflective state. This mild nostalgia visits each December and accompanies me into the New Year. I usually…
Living with Intention This Christmas
Ever since I can remember, my family has had a real Christmas tree. Finding the perfect tree became a magical adventure. We often cut our own, but as I grew older,…
Receiving with Grace: Lessons Learned with Secondary Progressive MS
In this season of thanks and giving, I have realized the beauty of receiving. I have recognized when to ask for help and how to accept assistance graciously. This has not been my strong…
Losing Words Through Dysarthria Is Hard for This Word Nerd
I have always prided myself on my smarts. I excelled in college, where I realized my love for learning. I enjoy conversing with others, and I make a concerted effort to expand my…
