Episode 62 – Taking on changes in season & MS
The first day of Fall is Saturday, September 23, 2023. Oh, Fall. Dan and I both love this season. The cooler temperatures, the plethora of football games, the vibrant colors of changing leaves, and the comfort of a cozy sweater on a crisp day. Sounds so lovely, doesn’t it? It is. But Fall also has […]
Episode 61 – Eye see you, MS
Sometimes what other people are seeing seem so obvious to them. “How could you not see it?” they ask. Maybe you could see it but just not very clearly. You don’t want to face the truth that your vision is getting worse either because of an MS-related symptom or because you aren’t as young as […]
Episode 60 – Take a look into our MS caregiving experiences
There’s more to our relationship than 18 years of marriage and each of us living with Multiple Sclerosis. We also are in a caregiving relationship. Jennifer is my primary caregiver, and I am hers. We were so humbled and honored that Healthline Media connected with us and included our caregiving story in its three-part Taking […]
Episode 59 – How do you perceive challenges in life & with MS?
Do you approach life’s challenges from the glass is half-full or the glass is half-empty perspective? Or, are you like Jennifer’s friend Nora and think, “This isn’t the drink I ordered.” None of us really have a choice in the challenges we face, but we all can choose how we perceive and respond to them. […]
Episode 58 – Taking on MS & August recess visits
If a bill goes before Congress and you never told members how their actions will impact you, how confident are you that they will vote in your favor? As two people living with Multiple Sclerosis, this isn’t a chance we’re willing to take. This is why we continue to advocate for ourselves – plus the […]
Episode 57 – Taking on traveling, road trips & MS
It’s challenging enough living with Multiple Sclerosis when you are settled into the comforts of your home, but the stresses compound when you venture out on an overnight trip. Gone is your strategically crafted accessible environment and you find yourself in the middle of MS adaptability uncertainties. As in: Where is the next handicap-accessible restroom […]
Episode 56 – Taking on MS & asking for help
A listener recently submitted a question to us through acoupletakesonms@gmail.com wondering, “How does someone just diagnosed with MS (or even someone who has lived with MS for some time) find the courage to ask for help?” What an incredibly insightful and always timely question, Dear Listener! We’ve struggled with summoning such courage countless times since […]
Episode 55 – Taking on handling the heat & MS
Heat is akin to kryptonite when it comes to many people who are living with Multiple Sclerosis. In fact, studies have shown that this “many” accounts for 80% of us all, including the two of us. Summer officially launches on June 20, and with this season of fun and sun comes heat waves and temperature […]
Episode 54 – Taking on MS & inclusion with Julie Stamm
Dan and I have lived with Multiple Sclerosis for more than two decades and have had some incredible opportunities courtesy of the chronic illness. We’ve advocated in Washington, D.C., written and published a book; rode in a handicap accessible hot air balloon; and travelled throughout the country sharing our story. Along the way, we’ve met […]
Episode 53 – Taking on MS & mourning sickness
Experts often describe grief in five or seven stages. If only life with Multiple Sclerosis could be so efficiently contained. Shock. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Testing. Acceptance. This all can happen each day before we get out of bed. Yes, we are eternally optimistic and look on the bright side of things under the worst […]