April 1, 2024 Columns by Leigh Anne Nelson How to prepare for an MRI: What they donāt tell you Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to diagnose and monitor the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). We patients can expect to have regular MRIs, although the frequency will depend on our age and disease stability. It’s important that we be comfortable during the procedure, as it…
June 8, 2023 Columns by Benjamin Hofmeister The best lessons on MS come from the experience of people with MS In the not-too-distant past, a friend shared a video clip from a competitive event with a few of us. One of the competitors had a shock of gray hair and was slowed by a noticeable limp. “Watch how smooth this guy is,” he said. As we all expressed our amazement…
February 7, 2023 Columns by Jamie Hughes Marching onward: What MS has taught me and trained me to bear Well, dear readers, I took a bit of time off from writing this column, but not by choice. January was an incredibly hectic 31 days, and I spent most of them living with my parents in Florida. Why? Well, because my mother has been dealing with some health issues…
July 27, 2021 Columns by Jessie Ace Focusing on What I Can Do Rather Than What I Can’t This year, Iāve been acutely aware that my body isn’t perfect. Sometimes it doesnāt move well. Sometimes it cuts off sensation in my limbs without notice. Sometimes it gets wiped out from fatigue. Sometimes itās like MS shakes up my head so hard, like a can of soda, that I…
June 2, 2020 Columns by Jessie Ace Starting a Podcast: How I Fought Past Mental Barriers to Help Others Youāre chronically ill, super anxious, crazy shy, unconfident, and have no interviewing skills. To some, that recipe may sound like a terrible concoction to start a podcast. However, for me, I knew it was something I had to do. I had to share…
May 8, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson My Solemn Truth on Pain and Suffering As some have said, āPain is inevitable; suffering is optional.ā I believe I am an optimistic, grateful, and spiritual woman. With that said, I must acknowledge that I have an irresolute reaction when I hear that suffering is optional. Suffering is defined as the state of undergoing pain, distress,…
July 26, 2017 Columns by Cathy Chester 31 Lessons I’ve Learned in 31 Years of Living with MS I was diagnosed at a time when no approved medications for MS existed and there was no internet to search for information about the disease. I was in my late 20s, dating the man I’d eventually marry and wondering how this new normal would affect my life. I’ve…