Dear current me, Not that long ago, I wrote a letter to our younger self, newly diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). That letter was intended to let her know that her diagnosis was not the end-all, be-all and wouldn’t take away from the beautiful and…
Coping methods
When presented with a drinking glass containing half the water it can hold, a pessimist would say that it’s half-empty while an optimist would say that the glass is half-full. A realist would probably demand to know who drank half of their water, and an idealist might simply be grateful…
Who hasn’t found themselves in the following situation? A loose acquaintance, or even a total stranger, strikes up a conversation with you, and at first it’s just pleasant small talk. Then there’s the pause. Those of us who have been living with a disability for a while know what’s coming…
A 10-week program that combines cognitive behavioral therapy — a technique focused on understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — with cognitive training to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills may enhance memory, boost vitality, and help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop effective coping strategies. “These…
Of all of the cognitive functions that multiple sclerosis (MS) can affect, memory and processing issues have been my primary burdens. I’ve found them difficult to navigate and manage, especially when others don’t fully understand the extent to which they affect me. My MS-related cognitive impairments have resulted…
The balance issues associated with my multiple sclerosis (MS) are clearly visible to others. However, one of my more problematic MS symptoms is largely invisible, especially since I’ve developed strategies to minimize its effect on my functioning. This symptom is cognitive impairment, often referred to as “cognitive fog” or…
To say that I was the last person on Earth to get a smartphone would be a gross exaggeration. I was a little slow to adopt the technology back when it was new, but now, my phone seems to be my constant companion. It’s a little hard to think of…
A 12-week program based on the Wim Hof method (WHM) — which combines cold exposure, breathing exercises, and mindfulness — was found to significantly ease cognitive fatigue, anxiety, and depression, as well as certain cognitive difficulties, in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a pilot clinical study. According to…
Last week, something unexpected happened during one of my shared medical visits with patients. I wasn’t expecting shame to show up. We were deep in conversation about how a diagnosis can unravel a person’s identity and how grief often follows when our sense of self begins to slip away.
Even though I was too young to see the first three “Star Wars” films in theaters, I’ve watched them many, many times over the years. I don’t know if it’s the same everywhere, but here in the U.S., their enormous impact on pop culture is undeniable. Nearly everyone you meet…
This past weekend, my partner and I went for a walk to soak up what might be the last of the pleasant weather before the sun begins to melt Florida. Since my hip revision, I’ve struggled to make movement a consistent habit as my right leg remains a little…
I’m sure the same thing happens in a lot of professions, but combat medics, which I was, often zoom in on the job at hand and lose sight of everything else. I know that when I was treating a casualty, I’d sometimes get in the zone and lose track of…
In recent months, I’ve attended a couple events in large stadiums. Last December, I went to the Music City Bowl college football game in Nashville, Tennessee, where Mizzou (the University of Missouri) beat the Iowa Hawkeyes. I also saw a Justin Timberlake concert at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City,…
When I learned to cook, I didn’t attend a class or have formal lessons. I learned the basics as a child from my mother in our home kitchen. At first, everything was structured: follow the recipe to the letter, precisely measure everything, and use only the recommended tools for a…
April showers bring May flowers. However, I do not have a green thumb. No matter how hard I try, I continuously seem to murder my plants. My mom, on the other hand, is an avid gardener. When my plants show signs of distress, I take them to her for remedial…
In an Army surveillance course I took in the spring of 2010, which I wrote about last year, I learned more than just the fact that I had a noticeable limp. For instance, on the first day, we had a class on simple ways to alter your appearance when…
Sheila Hofmeister and her husband, Rick, stand behind the wheelchair of their son Ben Hofmeister, whose three sons, Sterling, Jule, and Monte, are pictured from left to right. (Photos courtesy of Ben Hofmeister) Day 30 of 31 This is Sheila Hofmeister’s story: Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today columnist…
Natasha Quariab relaxes in her garden in Amman, Jordan, in 2023. (Photos courtesy of Natasha Quariab) Day 29 of 31 This is Natasha Quariab’s story: I woke up and tried to move my right leg. Nothing. My heart pounded. This couldn’t be happening. Not here, alone in a snowy…
I despise theme parks, and I feel zero guilt about depriving my kids of Disneyland, Six Flags, and the general horror of standing in long lines to be terrorized. Why do I hate theme parks? It’s not the shameless commercialism, the overpriced food, or the fact that the tickets for…
Michelle Lesmeister posed for this headshot in February 2025. (Photos courtesy of Michelle Lesmeister) Day 23 of 31 This is Michelle Lesmeister’s story: “You’re the strongest person I know — you will be OK.” Lesmeister takes her dog Barrett for an afternoon walk. Who wants to be just…
Ross smiles for a photo. (Photos courtesy of Ross) Day 21 of 31 This is Ross’ story: I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2007 when I was a senior in college. I had been very sick with vertigo and gastrointestinal issues for a year…
You know what they say about assuming? You don’t? Well, I just assumed that you did, so I guess the joke’s on me. I was going to start this column off by saying that people make a lot of assumptions about the disabled, but now I’m not sure that “assumption”…
Dee Ecklund, riding her Alinker, finishes a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving 2024. (Photos courtesy of Dee Ecklund) Day 18 of 31 This is Dee Ecklund’s story: I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason. Maybe we have some things to learn, teach, or even both. With the…
Nanette Lai locks eyes with her chihuahua Fanny. Lai says mutual gazing between humans and dogs can cause synchronization in areas of the brain. (Photos courtesy of Nanette Lai) Day 12 of 31 This is Nanette Lai’s story: My name is Nanette, and I have lived with relapsing-remitting…
I spent most of February staring at a blank screen, the blinking cursor mocking me. Despite having a solid idea to convey and a column deadline looming, my brain was stuck in the mud of cognitive fog. I tried to force my mind to cooperate, but it was like trying…
Izzy Abbas loves to go camping, but he also enjoys traveling internationally, Here, he is shown visiting Turkey. (Photos courtesy of Izzy Abbas) Day 11 of 31 This is Izzy Abbas’ story: Camping — being out in the woods and mountains — is something I’ve always loved. Despite all…
Edward Radford gives a thumbs-up while running The Great North Run half-marathon in 2024. (Photos courtesy of Edward Radford) Day 8 of 31 This is Edward Radford’s story: People often say F**k MS, like it’s a battle cry. I get it. For a long time, I saw it that…
The Army took me to a lot of different places around the world, and if I spent enough time in any one of them, I often found myself adopting local customs. In the deserts of Afghanistan and Iraq, for example, if circumstances allowed, I usually wore a shemagh, and sometimes…
Melinda Livermont, an MS Ambassador with MS4MS, is shown representing for the nonprofit while attending an NHL hockey game. (Photos courtesy of Melinda Livermont) Day 4 of 31 This is Melinda Livermont’s story: After the initial MRI scans, spinal tap, and blood work, hearing the actual words from…
Sanam Saeedi resolved not to allow a diagnosis of MS to determine the course her life could take. (Photos courtesy of Sanam Saeedi) Day 1 of 31 This is Sanam Saeedi’s story: For years, I lived with numbness and tingling in my toes, but dismissed it as a result…