The best definition for chronic illness that I could find on the internet is from Psychology Today: "A chronic illness is a condition that endures for at least a year and requires ongoing medical care or consistently limits the scope of a person's daily activities. Major chronic conditions include cancer, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, […] The post How to Care for Your Mental Health When Living with a Chronic Illness appeared first on An Empowered Spirit | A Life with Multiple Sclerosis ..read more

My father loved Robert Burns, a Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely regarded as Scotland's national poet. As we approach the end of the year, I thought it'd be fitting to reflect on Burns's famous work, "Auld Lang Syne." This beautiful rendition is both haunting and heartfelt, honoring the original form of the poem. […] The post Walking Each Other Home in 2025 with Strength and Hope appeared first on An Empowered Spirit | A Life with Multiple Sclerosis ..read more

This tumultuous year was rough, so I took a well-deserved writing break. Everything felt out of control, and I needed some time to focus on my mental wellness. I'm ready to move on and write with renewed clarity and confidence. . I turned 65 in 2024, and it hit me harder than I thought. It […] The post As This Tumultuous Year Ends I Have a Few Things to Say appeared first on An Empowered Spirit | A Life with Multiple Sclerosis ..read more

I’ve been thinking about how important communities are and how they can help us survive challenging times. They support our need to be active and informed, help us find comfort and advice, or provide a much-needed safe place to fall. In the current global situation, having multiple communities for support is crucial for maintaining good physical and mental health. […] The post How Communities Can Help Us Survive Challenging Times appeared first on An Empowered Spirit | A Life with Multiple Sclerosis ..read more

This post about complementary medicine was initially published in October 2016. Its contents remain relevant to people with MS or any ailment. Some of the original content has been updated.   Living with an illness, any illness, prompts you to find ways to feel better. If you have a headache, you take an aspirin. If you […] The post Why We Need to Look Closer at Complementary Medicine for Our Health appeared first on An Empowered Spirit | A Life with Multiple Sclerosis ..read more

Here are six thoughtful ways to show kindness to people with Multiple Sclerosis or any disability. As a freelance writer and health advocate, I strive to educate others about living with MS and other disabilities. Because sometimes people don't believe your invisible symptoms. I aim to shed light on daily struggles to foster compassion and […] The post Six Thoughtful Ways to Show Kindness to People Living with Multiple Sclerosis or Any Disability appeared first on An Empowered Spirit | A Life with Multiple Sclerosis ..read more

Fear. Illness. Sadness. Anxiety.  The words dangle before my eyes, suspended in midair as if to taunt me. They hang in the balance as constant reminders of stories flashing relentlessly through my mind. I close my eyes tightly, hoping the words disappear, leaving me alone forever. When I open them, they're still dancing wildly, mocking […] The post Where Can You Find Emotional Health While Living with Chronic Illness? appeared first on An Empowered Spirit | A Life with Multiple Sclerosis ..read more

As a writer and health advocate, I am committed to raising awareness about living with multiple sclerosis and chronic illness. Christine Miserandino's Spoon Theory (butyoudontlooksick.com):  "Spoonies" refer to people with chronic illnesses. The theory uses "spoons" as a metaphor to measure their daily energy levels. Some days, they may have an abundance of "spoons," while others may come up short.   Because sometimes, when people can’t see your disease, they don’t believe you have one.  By shedding light on our everyday struggles, I aim to provide information that can foster ..read more

I received some challenging news from my neurologist, but I wasn't surprised. I've lived with Multiple Sclerosis for almost four decades, so I learned to expect the unexpected. Interestingly, after the doctor's appointment, a quote started to repeat in my head: "God only gives us what we can handle."  Given historical and recent events, I'm not convinced that no one faces more than they can handle. For now, I'll focus on the following mantra instead: I envy people who seem to have smoother lives and don't have to worry about physical limitations, accessibility, or health issues that hin ..read more

There are many reasons why you, yes YOU, are enough exactly as you are. Let's face it. We're living in extraordinarily turbulent times on every front. When you add living with a chronic illness to that mix, you can be sure that stress and anxiety will pound on your front door.   Our strength, resilience, and self-confidence are being put to the test. As an advocate, I communicate daily with many individuals within the multiple sclerosis community. This year has been particularly challenging for all of us, and I've been wondering how I can be of more assistance. Many of them seem to ..read more