newlydiagnosed

On Thurs. 12/4/25 at 12 PM ET, the MS Society's Ask an MS Expert looks at spirituality's affect on living with MS. Rehab psychologist Dr. Mana Ali Carter of MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C., is this week's host.

Watch on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch: www.nationalmssociety.org/how-you-can-help/get-involved/cale...

#spirituality #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune

Usually, endless demands on family caregivers' time leave them with no time for self-care. On this last day of National Family Caregivers Month, here are resources for caregivers from caregivers.

Thanks for all you do!

Caregiver Resources

#caregiving #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability

“In the face of demoralization, gratitude has the power to energize,” Robert Emmons wrote in Greater Good magazine in 2013. “In the face of brokenness, gratitude has the power to heal. In the face of despair, gratitude has the power to bring hope.”

At times of stress and upheaval, he says it can be even more important to do so, even if at the moment you're not particularly feeling it. Our expressions of gratitude can help us cope with bad news and overcome our setbacks.

So thanks to my Mighty fam, and thanks to David McGrath for his Chicago Tribune 11/27/25 article, "Thankful for these exceptional Americans."

#MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune

"Never underestimate the power of believing in yourself and having the courage to give things a go. Now, to find an agent for my novels,” says Sharon Hier, whose short stories are winning awards and notice. Sharon has MS and attended creativity workshops through her local MS Society Cymru (Wales).

“The course introduced me to a tutor who gave me the confidence to believe in my abilities," she says. "That support helped me achieve my Creative Writing degree and multiple competition wins."

Shelley Elgin, director of the MS Society Cymru, says, "Sharon’s success shows what can happen when people are given the space and encouragement to follow their passions and it’s exactly why we remain committed to supporting people affected by MS across Wales.”

Sharon's latest award-winner captured the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize and can be read here: New Voice Award: Mrs Mabli and the Weather Committee by Sharon Hier

Read more about Sharon: Award success for Welsh writer with MS

#MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune

I was never in any danger, but couldn't clear my throat for 45 min. Afterward, I swear I could have taken a nap!

Eating and swallowing difficulties, called dysphagia, are common with people with multiple sclerosis. Therapy and mindfulness helped me.

Caution: Jagged water. Hydrate safely, my friends.

#MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune

3rd Thursday of each month at 7-8 p.m. ET

Contact: Judy, jsfisch@rcn.com

from the #MultipleSclerosis Society

#MightyTogether #ChronicIllness #newlydiagnosed #Disability

“The surgery gave me a lot of hope,” said the 56-year-old singer of "Live Until I Die" and other hits. “Am I walking perfect? No. Am I walking better? Absolutely."

After 30 years of living with MS, Walker said that the disease was starting to progress and affect his day-to-day life. Due to MS, Walker experiences spasticity, a chronic tightness in the muscles that often results in good fatigue, pain and mobility problems. MS causes different symptoms in every patient but spasticity is a common one.

“At the beginning of the year, I noticed I was having a lot of difficulty with balance and walking, and it really started to worry me,” Walker said. “I knew I had to do something.”

In a procedure that has been around for decades, the surgery implants a hockey-puck-sized baclofen pump that periodically releases muscle-relaxant medicine to help with muscle spasms and tension. The pump is set to individual, very personalized doses and schedules to release baclofen into the system throughout the day and night, as needed. Baclofen is most often taken orally in tablets, but when that is ineffective, the pump is a great alternative to get hold of out-of-control pain and spasticity tightness. While the baclofen tablets often contain 10 mg or so, the pump feeds baclofen directly into the spinal fluid and requires only very small but powerful doses.

For Walker, the results speak for themselves. "I got on a treadmill the other day without a harness holding me up to keep from falling, and I walked for five minutes," he said. "That is progress."

He acknowledges that he still has issues with balance, but he's working through with the resolve of someone who has managed remaining relapsing MS since 1996. His Clay Walker Foundation throws a huge benefit in Houston every year, helping those with MS afford the services they need.

Source: "Why This County Star Feels ‘Blessed’ as He Battles Multiple Sclerosis" by Gavin Boyle, Movieguide.com.

#PainManagement #Spasticity #Baclofen #BaclofenPump #ClayWalker #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune

63 million are family caregivers in the U.S., and 5.0.0.4 million (8% of population) in the U.K.

Find care & support at www.nationalmssociety.org/managing-ms/for-carepartners

#caregiving #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability

My medical group could not safely get me and other patients onto the DEXA bone scan machine, so last year I got no test. This year they wanted to send me on a 70-mile trip to the closest accessible machine. I spoke up for two years, and this year doctor backed me up, and since then I've followed up with phone calls and emails to a few administrators.

Today I received an email: They're funding an accessible bone scan machine for next year.

Groovy! I'm celebrating with a box of Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch.

#selfadvocacy #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune

Including vets and service members living with MS, family, friends and carepartners.

On the Third Thursday of every month.

Contacts: Deanna Deschenes, veteran.ms.group@gmail.com, 910-508-8805. Ashley Lee, ashley.lee4518@gmail.com, 517-499-6400.

Do you have any vets in your life to thank today?

#Military #Veterans #MultipleSclerosis #MightyTogether #newlydiagnosed #Disability #Caregiving #autoimmune