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…
Tomorrow is my 36th birthday. The past few years, I’ve been down the shore for my birthday, celebrating with family and friends. One thing I love about my birthday is that it’s in late summer – I love this time of year, because it feels peaceful – a slowing down compared to the excitement of…
Throughout the recent Netflix series “Ripley,” characters are often confronted with stairs. In the first episode, after Tom Ripley arrives on the Amalfi Coast, he makes his way to Dickie Greenleaf’s villa and soon realizes that it’s perched high on a cliff…and therefore only reachable by what seems like endless winding, narrow stairs. In the…
We all know what it’s like to be tired. You had to get up really early for a flight or perhaps you stayed up a little too late on a “school” night. You pushed yourself extra hard in that workout or walked a few more blocks than normal on your afternoon walk. Nothing that a…
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…
I love the summer. It’s my favorite season. Sitting on the beach, sunbathing on the deck, watching sunsets outside with a glass of wine, enjoying a meal al fresco – all activities I love. Unfortunately, since my multiple sclerosis diagnosis, I’ve had to rethink my relationship with Summer. I can still do all of these…
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….
Whenever I look at this picture, I can’t help but laugh to myself. My mom, my sister, and I were on a trip to Ireland. (This was in October 2022, and I didn’t know it at the time, but multiple sclerosis was hiding out in my body, asleep and ready to show its face only…
I used to travel for work all the time and I had a pretty solid routine at the airport. Since my multiple sclerosis diagnosis, that routine has changed – for traveling in general, but especially when I’m on a work trip. The long walks from security to the gate can feel less like a convenient…