Our bodies are made up of systems, no different than the eco-systems making up our planet. Our musculoskeletal, digestive, central nervous, and endocrine systems – to name only a few – each require a specific set of environmental factors to function optimally. A healthy, nutrient-rich diet has the power to optimize the efficiency of each individual system, allowing the entire body to work together to the best of its ability. This is called holistic health, a concept defined by the treatment of your person as a whole, including mental, emotional, and – for some people – spiritual health, rather ..read more

Guest post by: Lindsay Ireland  I believe in the power of perspective. Reframing the narrative in my head may not cure MS, but it has helped me live my best life. Living with three autoimmune diseases, this outlook has proven its value to me many times.    When I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2001, it was a scary time. As an adolescent I underwent many surgeries related to ulcerative colitis and have lived with an ileostomy* since I was 11 years old. I understood scary times. Also, I learned some useful coping skills at a young age.  The ostomy surgery s ..read more

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be an unpredictable disease. Living with MS is different for every person and the symptoms and progression of the disease can vary widely for individuals.   Thankfully, technology has come a long way with tools that help managing MS, and life in general, a bit easier. The following apps can help with the day-to-day tracking of symptoms, treatments, medications, organizing tasks and notes, and keeping you looped in on the latest news, advancements, and information.   Aby   For iOS and Android  Start a personalized journal to hel ..read more

Prioritizing Mental Health for MS Management and Overall Well-Being Every year on October 10, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes World Mental Health Day to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Priority. No two people experience MS the same way. They may experience different symptoms at different times, and the impact of these symptoms can vary from person to person. While we often think of MS in terms of its common ..read more

By Sherene Chen-See  Do you live with pain associated with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Then you have a good idea of the physical and mental health challenges that come with pain. You’re not alone – half of all people living with MS experience pain.  To highlight International Pain Awareness Month, we’ve asked three experts – Dr. Jacqueline Kraushaar and Dr. Shane Wunder, both of University of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Robert Simpson of Toronto Rehabilitation Institute – to offer some insights about chronic pain and mental health in the MS community.   What is chronic pain?  ..read more

This Mother’s Day, we want to recognize the resilience and strength of all mothers affected by MS, like Elizabeth. Whether you are a mother living with MS or a mother of a child with MS, we truly appreciate the special difference you make in the MS community and in all of our hearts.  Guest post by: Elizabeth Agnew Before I was a mom, I would dream about holding my child’s hand. It seems small but thinking about it makes me sad sometimes because I don’t often get to do it.    When I taught kindergarten, little kids would always want to hold my hand. It was something that made me so ..read more

Take a look around you and you’ll find that we all know someone who is a caregiver. The number is just under 8 million people – that’s approximately one in four Canadians acting as caregivers. This National Caregiver Day, we want to recognize Canadians like Shannon, who have taken on more to help care for a loved one living with MS. Shannon’s father was diagnosed with MS before she was born. As his disease progressed, she stepped in as a family caregiver to ensure he received the care he needed. After his passing, Shannon became the facilitator of the National Virtual Caregivers Group to help ..read more

Guest post by: Devin Meireles It was the winter of 2012 when my girlfriend and I got ready for a new horizon upon us. It would be our last Christmas residing with our parents before moving out on our own. In the next month, we were taking a big step in our lives together–home ownership. It took four years of saving and preparation for our pre-construction condo, but we weren’t ready for the curveball that was flung in our direction. Within a month of getting our keys, she was not quite herself. Feeling off-colour like a pair of worn-out jeans. All of a sudden, there was limited sensation at he ..read more

Guest post by: Carrie MacLean When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I thought I only had a few years to live. The more I read and learned about the disease, the more I realized I could live a long life with purpose – just differently than I’d originally thought. I was a newlywed in 2002, when I woke up one morning with pins and needles in my right hand. I thought I’d slept on it funny. The next day, the entire right side of my body was numb. My doctor sent me to the ER and that’s where I heard the words, “you may have MS.” I knew nothing about MS, at the time, except for the few c ..read more