awareness

MS and Mental Illness: The World Needs You

Spring has sprung! As I look around, Mother Earth is in bloom. Trees are sprouting new leaves, plants are growing, and the grass isĀ green once again. I love spring and all that it represents ā€” hopes for new birth and rebirth. For those who are unaware, May is Mental…

National MS Society Welcomes Mud-Lovers to 2018 MuckFest MS

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is inviting all mud-lovers to Saturday’s kickoff ofĀ MuckFest MSĀ in Boston, Massachusetts, which raises money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS). The event includes a 5K ā€œmud runā€ with ā€œoutrageous obstacles and a whole lot of mudā€ thatĀ definitely will make you sore ā€œfrom…

Members of Canadian Parliament Commemorate MS Awareness Month

Members of Parliament and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of CanadaĀ are jointly celebrating May as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. Both parties met in Ottawa April 30-May 2 to kick-off the MS awareness campaignĀ #LifeWithMs. According to an international survey, it is estimated that one in every 340 Canadians…

You Only Think You Know

When I tell people I have multiple sclerosis, I usually get one of three responses: ā€¢ “Oh, no! I feel so bad for you!” (Pity) ā€¢ “Is that the one with the telethon?” (Confusion) ā€¢ “I know all about that disease! My sister-in-lawā€™s cousinā€™s college roommate has…

Here’s How to Honor the First #ProgressiveMSDay

Weā€™re all familiar with the yearly observance of MS Awareness Week and MS Awareness Month to raise awareness about multipleĀ sclerosis. Considering that so many rare diseases, such asĀ Graves’ disease or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, go largely unnoticed, the MS community is blessed with its fair…

Moving Forward After MS Awareness Month

We are approaching the conclusion of National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, but those of us with MS know that the responsibility to educate is unending. I was pondering what my topic would be this week. As awareness month exits, I want to proffer an encouraging message. This…

Don’t Miss Out on Life

I love photographs and have them strewn about and framed throughout the house. From grandchildren and goldens, holidays and travels, each holds a cherished memory. I am happiest taking photos and have cultivated somewhat of a hobby doing so. As I have gotten older, I have (gratefully) discarded the…

Invisible Illness Awareness: The Struggle Continues

Last week was Invisible Illness Awareness Week, which ran from Oct 14-20. Awareness weeks are designed to bring attention to certain conditions, issues and situations. They are directed at creating consciousness and disseminating information. Sadly, invisible illness is a subject that needs much more attention. Those of…

Twin Cities MuckFest MS, Mud- and Obstacle-filled Run for MS Society, Set for Saturday

The Twin Cities MuckFest MS is set for Saturday at the Scott County Fair in Jordan, Minnesota. All money raised in the event will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to support its work in helping people living with multiple sclerosis and in advancing research toward better treatments and a cure. The MuckFest MS is a fun mud run that has raised millions for the Society, and requires no special training or equipment ā€” the only things needed, organizers says, are sneakers, a sense of humor and a willingness to get a little mucky. Participants run on a designed 5K course that features super-sized obstacles and lots of mud. A first wave of runners in the Aug. 19 event will take to the course at 9 a.m., followed by successive groups every 20 minutes throughout the day. "We muck it because ā€¦ We want to end MS," MuckFest MS proclaims on its webpage. "Even though the event is built for laughs from start to finish, weā€™re on a serious mission to advance cutting-edge research and support the life-changing work of the National MS Society." Runners are advised to wear closed-toe sneakers, and cleats of any kind are not permitted. An older of soiled choice of clothing is welcome, but should be clothes that won't restrict movement and will provide protection as runners move through the obstacles. Pants or shorts are acceptable. Many muckers, organizers say, choose to wear thin work or athletic gloves to better grip obstacles and ropes. All MuckFest MS events are held in wet muddy fields, so there is little flat terrain. They are not ADA-standard accessible, wheelchair runners will have to move through grass and dirt. The organizers, however, promise to do their best to make portions of the event accessible to people with disabilities. Participation is $105 on the day of event, plus processing fee, and those planning to register Saturday are asked to arrive by 10 a.m. Online registration is now closed. Spectators are welcome without charge. According to the MS Society, "the MuckFest MS runners and volunteers have raised over $27 million to support the life-changing work of the National MS Society" to date. "That means more cutting-edge research and continued support for people living with MS in your community." Multiple Sclerosis News Today plans to interview an event participant ā€” Beth Kantor, a retired nurse from Plymouth, Minnesota, who has relapsing MS ā€” after the event. Kantor is also volunteering at this year's MuckFest MS, helping others as they too take to the course. The first wave/start time is at 9:00 a.m Saturday, August 19, and then every 20 minutes throughout the day. More information, including a look at the obstacles, is available here. A blog by past Muckfesters, offering ideas and suggestions, is also available. MuckFest MS runs take place in a dozen U.S. cities each year. AbbVie is the national sponsor, and local sponsors for MuckFest MS 2017 include Acorda and Genentech. A national event sponsor is The Traveler Beer Co.

How MS Helped Me Embrace Living in the Present

My multiple sclerosis (MS) brings fatigue, pain, and instability into my life, but surprisingly, it also makes me more aware of my life and surroundings. For me, that means being more aware in the present moment and focusing on the good in my life right now. Living in…

‘MS from the Inside Out’ Uses Virtual Reality to Share What Life for Patients Is Like

Virtual reality (VR) technology is most commonlyĀ associated with gaming and entertainment, but it’s expanding intoĀ a variety of clinical and healthcare applications.Ā The Ontario-based biopharmaceutical firm EMD Serono, Canada, is now using VR as an informational and educational tool to provide a more profound understanding of what living with multiple sclerosis…

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 to listen to the words of song lyrics. The music is…