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 […]
Episode 52 – Taking on PT & exercise with Heather Schoen
This an episode that got very personal for the two of us, but Jennifer took it even more personally. What an amazing moment to have a candid conversation about physical therapy, exercise and Multiple Sclerosis with Heather Schoen – the first physical therapist Jennifer saw shortly after she was diagnosed with MS more than 25 […]
Episode 51 – From the runway to Walk MS
There is a lot of momentum and several firsts in this episode: • It starts with Jennifer sharing insights into her experiences modeling in Central Michigan University’s Threads Fashion Show that featured accessible fashion for the first time. • It ends with the first time we feature a special guest – 8-year-old Maximus Miedema – […]
Episode 50 – Taking on Threads & accessible fashion with Ian Mull
Talking about a person in a wheelchair likely isn’t the first thing people think of when discussing fashion shows and models on the runway. Jennifer will change all of this April 15 when she is among the more than 100 models who will strut their stuff at 25th annual Threads Fashion Show on the Central […]
Episode 49 – A Couple takes on 2 Capitols
One of the biggest ways we have faced off with our Multiple Sclerosis is using our voices to make positive changes as MS activists. This includes our recent trips to the nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C., and to Michigan’s state Capitol in Lansing. All within the same week. Join us for this episode to learn […]