For those of you who don’t know, I work in healthcare communications. I’m sure you’re wondering – what the heck does that mean? In the simplest terms, I work with healthcare companies on their communication strategy – telling their story (the who-what-why-how) to different audiences. I’ve worked in healthcare comms for my entire career, previously…
In November 2023, I attended the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) Annual Meeting in Chicago. I went to network and learn from inspiring women in the healthcare industry, but it was also a bit of a personal experiment: it was going to be the first time I went “public” with my multiple sclerosis diagnosis among strangers….
There is something my therapist told me that I wrote on a post-it note, stuck it to my desk, read every day, and repeat back to myself: At the end of the day, no one will prioritize your health as much as YOU can. To my fellow multiple sclerosis community members – let that sink…
Soon after I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, after the initial shock and fear had somewhat quieted down, one of the questions that crossed my mind was – how does this impact my career? What do I do now? The words “disclosure” and “accommodations” and “protections” took on new meanings – and I wasn’t sure…
When you think about the word “disability,” what comes to mind? Close your eyes for a moment, and let your thoughts linger on that word and the images or feelings it might evoke. The first thing that popped into your head might have been a wheelchair – a physical signifier that someone lives with a…
Living with multiple sclerosis can be stressful and anxiety-inducing, and taking care of our minds is just as important as taking care of our bodies. I connected with Teri Hull, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist in Chicago, IL, to learn more about how the practice of mindfulness could be beneficial for those living with MS or other chronic illnesses….
Living with a chronic illness, like multiple sclerosis, brings stress, anxiety, and pain. Questions arise, like – Am I going through a relapse? How long will discomfort last? What does the future look like? I know how hard it can be to turn off the persistent thoughts and worries that accompany day-to-day life with chronic illness….
I’m thankful. I’m beaming. I’m exhausted. Yesterday, I took part in Walk MS Chicago 2024, organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), with a deep crew of my family and dearest friends. It was the first time I’d been part of a big MS community event, and it felt great. I felt comforted by…
A few months before my 35th birthday, after more than a year of experiencing strange and scary symptoms, I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around this diagnosis, this axis-tilting change to my life forever. Even in the “before times,” when I knew something was…