July 19, 2022 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson ‘To Everything There Is a Season’: Coping With Grief, Loss, and MS Hello, all. It’s been almost a year since Iāve written a column, and I missed connecting with you. I’ve been processing the grief of losing my mother in September 2020, withstanding the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain, and valiantly attempting to find the message…
March 5, 2021 Columns by Jamie Hughes This Is What Love Looks Like Last night, as I was grumpily prowling through a pile of overpriced red and white striped hats looking for one that would fit my fifth grader, I asked myself, Why exactly am I doing this again? I already knew the answer. The next day was Read Across America Day,…
December 22, 2020 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Through the Valley of the Shadow Psalms 23 has always been my comfort when I needed respite from the hardships of life and chronic illness. My mother used to read that Bible passage to me as a child, and now it has become a cornerstone of my faith. Today, I find myself in the valley of…
June 27, 2019 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Loving Yourself in Sickness and Health I am frequently commended for my demeanor. For my strength amid pain and adversity. For my optimism and happy disposition. For making the most of my circumstances. I love my steadfast faith. I love my fierce determination. I love my decision to combat pain and adversity with hope. I love…
February 14, 2019 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell There Are Angels Among Us: I’m Grateful for the Helpers I like to keep my life as normal as possible. This can be difficult given the physical challenges multiple sclerosis and chronic pain pose. Nevertheless, I try. Saturday was one of those days. I mistakenly assumed I could tackle Costco ā the Goliath to my David. Hence, I must…
September 13, 2018 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Relationships Can Thrive with MS Relationships are a quagmire in and of themselves. Throw in a chronic, progressive disease, and you have yourself quite the ride. This ride has excitability, steady inclines, crescendos, fun and free times, steep ravines, and shake-ups. Inevitably, balance is restored. That pretty much sums up my marriage. Let me…
February 13, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Intimacy, Marriage, and Chronic Illness Intimacy is defined as close familiarity and/or friendship. It can also describe an act. We have intimate relationships with the people in our lives. Those intimate relationships strengthen us as we travel the arduous path of chronic illness. This week is Valentineās week, so I thought Iād discuss the…
February 1, 2018 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Navigating Relationships with MS Relationships are work. When you add in a chronic, progressive disease, the work becomes exponential. This is not to say work is a bad thing, as we reap immense rewards when we put effort into anything. Rather, anything worth doing…
December 5, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Treat Others as You Wish to Be Treated: An Open Letter to Our Spouses and Partners My journey in life has allowed me to connect with and meet people from all over the world. For this, I am blessed. Iāve met many diagnosed with MS and other chronic illnesses. All of our experiences are different and we have varying levels of support. A little while…
April 11, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Chronic Illness and Dating: the Benefits of Transparency The dating process is the prerequisite to most serious relationships. We invest a significant amount of time to assess whether we are compatible with the person of interest. Dating should beĀ fun and we should look forward to future possibilities. For the past few days I’ve been thinking about dating…
February 16, 2017 Columns by admin MS Love and Care, as Only a Superwife Can Provide Thoughts of love were brought to the forefront of many peopleās minds on Valentineās Day, which is widely celebrated by couples both young and not so young. They usually buy cards and enjoy romantic dinners. In our…
February 14, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Beyond Valentine’s Day: The Importance of Expressing Love Valentine’s Day is celebrated by many. We wait for this one day of the year to tell the ones we love how special they are. The proverbial Happy Valentine’s Day cards, flowers and candy will be given as tokens of love and affection. Although my husband and I are…