March 18, 2022 Columns by Jamie Hughes There’s No Such Thing as Perfect We are a three-cat household because, well, felines are awesome. Theyāre entertaining and sweet. They love to give cuddles. And theyāre fairly self-sufficient ā no baths or walks necessary. Just keep food and water in ample supply, and theyāre good to go. The only problem? Litter boxes. We have this…
March 7, 2022 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Using Trait Mindfulness Techniques May Help Reduce Depression in MS Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients reported fewer difficulties regulating their emotions, and reduced depressive symptoms when they applied trait mindfulness techniques, a study showed. Trait mindfulness refers to an innate ability to pay and maintain attention to moments in the present with an open, non-judgmental attitude. Notably, the use of…
December 15, 2021 Columns by Beth Ullah Learning to Embrace My ‘Hot Wheels’ As I glance over at the lonesome wheelchair skulking in the shadows of my living room, I recall its arrival like it was yesterday, though it’s been more than four years. My husband, and then carer, had paraded it through the house as if it were a savior, there to…
September 23, 2021 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Emotional and Physical Pain Are My Unwanted Sidekicks Pain is the consummate four-letter word. I have felt pain in the most primal of ways. The emotional chasm of grief in my soul. The physical torture of pain in my body. Pain is unyielding in its relentless torment. It remains the quagmire I fail to solve. Life with…
July 16, 2020 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Accepting a New Diagnosis I have long preached the merits of acceptance. In embracing my MS, I have mitigated much of the accompanying fear. This modus operandi has enabled me to live alongside my disease as opposed to clashing with it. While ideal, it is becoming increasingly difficult to follow my advice. Two…
July 2, 2020 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell How to Feed Your Soul and Find Positivity Amid MS Our thoughts influence our being. The stories we tell ourselves frame our reality. They affect the decisions we make, our behaviors, and ultimately our overall mindset. These serve to either nourish or starve our psyche. If we are what we eat, then are we what we think? Absolutely. We cannot…
October 18, 2018 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell SPMS and the Continuum of Acceptance Some days are hard, while others are still harder. Then there are days that bring you to your knees. I am kneeling. Pain ricochets through my body like a pinball machine on tilt. Flashing lights dance as if to announce the imminent. “Danger, Will Robinson!” I hit…
June 5, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Claiming My MS and Accepting the Reality of My Disease Growing up in a spiritual family, I can remember hearing the words āwe are not going to claim it.ā These were words of comfort, hope, and support when a catastrophic event was impending. The dictum was to pray, believe in what you pray for, and to “not claim” whatever…
February 7, 2018 Columns by Cathy Chester 6 ways to help you cope with and accept your MS diagnosis Last updated April 25, 2023 At the intersection of hope and despair is a bench to sit and rest. At least, I hope there is. The bench gives us an opportunity to take a breather from the stresses of the world. Itās a chance to sit and think about which…