If I were a superhero (or a supervillain, for that matter), I’d have an origin story. As it stands, I’m not even a minor hero in real life, and only a mediocre one when appearing in my own stories. I’m just a guy with multiple sclerosis, and all I…
advocacy
When Sarah Garcia was diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS) at age 13, she didn’t know any other young Latino women with the neurodegenerative disorder. Garcia grew up in a tight-knit Hispanic community in Socorro, Texas, near El Paso. Most of her doctors were white,…
As anyone with chronic illness knows, leaving the house requires planning. There’s much more to think about than what’s visible, especially if you’re relying on public transport. In the days preceding last week’s appointment with my multiple sclerosis (MS) nurse, I was contemplating just how long it’d been since…
For the second year, the communications and software company Windstream is supporting the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, touted as the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports event exclusively for military veterans. The event is for all U.S. veterans with a spinal cord injury, amputation, multiple sclerosis (MS), or other…
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has opened MS Bike, an annual cycling event to raise awareness and funds for research and services that make the difference for the more than 90,000 Canadians living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Conducted in an entirely virtual format due to COVID-19 in 2020…
It’s a decision most of us with a chronic illness have to make sooner or later: When do we disclose our illness, and to whom, and how do we do it? Thirty-one-year-old Katie Coleman faced that decision not long ago. Coleman has stage 4 kidney cancer, and, in April, she…
Erin Stevenson’s doctor laughed when she asked him 13 years ago if the vertigo she felt while training for a first 100-mile bike ride could be related to her mother’s multiple sclerosis (MS). MS isn’t a genetic disease, but Stevenson managed to persuade the doctor to schedule a brain…
Formal consideration of legislation to establish a Canada Disability Benefit, with the expectation the measure will provide financial support to Canadians who live with multiple sclerosis (MS), is being praised by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. On June 2, the legislation was tabled in Canada’s House of…
Acknowledging advances in early detection of multiple sclerosis (MS), the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) is broadening its membership and inviting all veterans with the progressive neurodegenerative disorder to join the nonprofit organization. Now, all veterans with MS are eligible for PVA membership and the same support available to…
Last weekend was a busy one. On Friday, I had to drop my eldest son at school at 5:30 a.m. for a field trip and then pick him up at 11 p.m. A nap wasn’t in the cards, I’m sad to say, and at some point in the evening, I…
It may sound like a joke or a scam, but there’s a nonprofit organization called RIP Medical Debt that might pay off your medical debt. Yep, all of it. According to the organization’s website, RIP Medical Debt has paid off more than $6.7 billion of other people’s medical bills…
As part of its ongoing support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), Tri Global Energy will again field a team of cyclists for Bike MS, the nonprofit organization’s nationwide fundraiser series. Tri Global Energy’s Team Wind Force, a cycling team comprised of 13 Texas-area renewable energy industry…
In an unusual challenge, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is raising millions to promote multiple sclerosis (MS) research in that country by having supporters rappel off the roof of a downtown Toronto office building. More than 145 individuals across at least 36 teams are expected to participate in the…
In this installment of our “Expert Voices” series, Multiple Sclerosis News Today asked Annie Brewster, MD, to answer some of your questions about navigating difficult patient-provider relationships. Brewster is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and a practicing internist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She is…
I’m changing my mind about MS Awareness Month — at least a little — thanks to “31 Days of MS.” Whether it’s an awareness month or a week, or whether it’s for MS or disabilities in general, I’ve never been a big fan of these types of initiatives. But this…
Photo courtesy of Debbie Petrina Day 24 of 31 This is Debbie Petrina’s (debbiems.com) story: My story begins with a lesson I learned when I was a young girl. My Aunt Josie was very smart and a keen listener. She would ask provocative questions, frequently adding “use your…
You might be wondering why a Yank like me is writing about multiple sclerosis care in the United Kingdom. It’s because a survey caught my eye the other day that I think deserves a closer look. The survey, conducted by the MS Trust and reported by MS News…
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) has formed a committee to better address the needs and interests of veterans with multiple sclerosis (MS), including help with obtaining care and disability benefits. The nonprofit PVA is the only congressionally chartered veterans organization working to assist and represent veterans with spinal…
Photo courtesy of Melody Sapien Day 15 of 31 This is Melody Sapien’s (@autoimmune.wellnesswarriors) story: Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I was 15 years old. In a lot of ways, I am grateful for my diagnosis because, without it, I would have never…
The MS Society of Canada‘s virtual MS Read-a-Thon event has been extended to March 20, giving children and families throughout Canada extra time to enjoy reading while raising funds for the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. The event, which began Jan. 27, seeks to generate $110,000 to…
Photo courtesy of Kali Thomas Day 6 of 31 This is Kali Thomas’s story: Just a few months after my 21st birthday, in July 2013, I received a call that would change my life forever. I will never forget my doctor’s words: “I’m looking at your MRI, and I…
If you’re like me, you’re always wondering what obstacles you’ll need to overcome if you eat at a new restaurant or visit another venue you’ve never been to before. Will you physically be able to enter? If so, can you navigate once inside? Are the bathrooms accessible? You could…
Multiple Sclerosis News Today is bringing back its “31 Days of MS” initiative for the third year during Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March. This project is aimed at raising awareness by highlighting different voices within the MS community. Every day in March, we will feature a story from…
The MS Society of Canada is hosting its annual MS Read-a-Thon, a fundraiser that supports vital services to the multiple sclerosis (MS) community and to disease research while helping children discover the joys of reading. For a 45th year, the program invites children, individually or in teams…
It took some time for Tyler Campbell to truly accept he had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The San Diego State University running back had just finished his junior year in 2007 when his multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms began. After an MRI confirmed the diagnosis, his neurologist cleared him to…
Under rules in the No Surprises Act, insured patients people in the U.S., including those with multiple sclerosis, should no longer receive unexpected medical bills for emergency care or for treatment from out-of-network providers at facilities in their network. The act, which became effective on Jan. 1, prohibits…
Donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada through the end of this year will be double matched, meaning each donation will go three times as far in supporting Canadians with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in advancing research into the disease. All donations received until midnight on Dec.
“Shoes are the quickest way for women to achieve instant metamorphosis.” — Manolo Blahnik As the holidays approach, I’m reminded to be thankful for what I have. I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at 26 years old, and when I became paralyzed, I thought I’d never…
Donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada will double in value for this year’s Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30, meaning each donation will provide three times the support for Canadians with multiple sclerosis (MS) . An anonymous donor will double match each donation made on Giving Tuesday,…
Patients with autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), are uncertain about how to protect themselves against COVID-19, especially with regards to booster shots of the vaccine. According to a national survey by the nonprofit Alliance for Patient Access, these patients are confused due to conflicting information from the…