A Couple Takes on MS

Caregiving is an act of love, but it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and emotionally heavy. That’s why self-care for caregivers isn’t selfish. It’s essential. In this episode of A Couple Takes on MS, we’re joined by Susanne White, a best-selling author and passionate voice in the caregiver advocacy community. Susanne shares how stepping into a caregiving role for her parents changed her life and ultimately led her to dedicate her work to supporting caregivers everywhere. Together, we talk honestly about the realities caregivers face, including: What caregiver burnout looks like and why it’s often hard to recognize Why guilt so often comes with the caregiving role How the pressure to be perfect and to do everything alone can take a real toll Throughout the conversation, Susanne offers powerful insights about reframing success, accepting imperfection, and learning to be kind to yourself while caring for someone else. Susanne reminds us that caregivers were never meant to do this work in isolation. Community, communication, and self-awareness aren’t optional. They’re essential to sustaining care over time. We also talk about her book, Self-Care for Caregivers, a practical and accessible resource made for caregivers who are short on time but still need support. Here are the links we referenced that offer depth and insights for our conversation: • caregiverwarrior.com – Official website for you to access Susanne’s perspectives and insights on living as a caregiver and getting the support you need. • Self-Care for Caregivers: A Practical Guide to Caring for You While You Care for Your Loved One – Learn more about and order your copy of Susanne’s book that’s described as, “The ultimate caregivers’ guide to resilience, strength, and balance.”  *** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Adaptive fashion matters. It’s about dignity, confidence, creativity, and ensuring people with MS feel seen and supported. In this episode, we share our experiences as runway models at the 2nd Annual MS Focus on Fashion event in Fort Lauderdale, hosted by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. We take you behind the scenes of a memorable weekend that went from accessible travel challenges to celebrating adaptive style. We get real about the realities of traveling with mobility devices, including navigating airports, finding accessible transportation, and the extra planning that goes into every trip. We also highlight the bright spots, including Delta Airlines' support and white-glove treatment of Jennifer’s power wheelchair and the warm community at the event. Ah yes, the main event, where Jennifer models a custom hand-painted jacket by Project Runway runner-up Nancy Bolt Barringer, and Dan walks the runway in adaptive magnetic jeans and a button-down shirt from MagnaReady and a stylish cane from Fashionable Canes. To read more about our runway experience and see pictures from the fashion show, check out Jennifer’s essay Fashion, MS and a 28-year moment I’ll never forget on our blog. *** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Professor Robert Motl, a leading researcher whose work has revolutionized the understanding of how exercise and physical activity help manage Multiple Sclerosis. As a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, Rob (as he prefers to be called) has dedicated his career to studying how movement, fitness and behavior change can improve mobility, cognition, fatigue, and overall quality of life for people living with MS. He’s published hundreds of studies and is recognized worldwide as one of the leading voices in the neuroscience of exercise and MS. In this episode, Rob shares how and why movement truly matters at every stage of the MS journey. We discuss: The proven impact of exercise on symptom management and brain health Why starting small and staying consistent can make a lasting difference How research continues to reveal new ways to support strength, function, and hope Tune in to hear Rob’s insights and discover why movement might be one of the most powerful tools we have for living well with MS. Here are the links that offer depth and insights for our conversation: UIC Exercise Neuroscience Research Lab Research Projects – Current projects recruiting participants with MS. Research Publications – Links to various scholarly journals featuring ENRL published research. To get involved in Rob and his team’s research or to learn more about their work, email the research lab at ENRL@uic.edu or Rob at ROBMOTL@uic.edu *** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

When Allié McGuire was 41 years old and learned the reason behind years of unexplained symptoms was Multiple Sclerosis, that moment didn’t silence her. It sparked a mission. Today, Allié uses storytelling to elevate voices and causes that often go unseen. She is an award-winning speaker, media producer, and co-founder of AwareNow Media, which is home to AwareNow Magazine – a global platform that reaches more than 8 million readers each month with stories that create awareness and inspire action. In this episode, we chat with Allié about how MS changed the way she sees the world and how it changed the world she sees. Her message is powerful: when life hands you limits, you can still move forward with impact. This belief led her to launch the “Because I Can” Virtual 5K, with a bold goal of becoming the world’s largest virtual 5K for MS. Anyone, anywhere, can take part – walking, rolling, running, biking, swimming – whatever movement looks like for you. It’s a way to raise visibility for MS and support others living with this unpredictable disease. We also explore with Allié: The moment storytelling became advocacy How she balances vulnerability and strength as an MS advocate Why forward movement matters Allié’s journey is a reminder that every step, both literal and metaphorical, can help someone else see what’s possible. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

It’s been a busy (and meaningful) stretch for us these past few weeks! In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our latest adventures across Michigan — from savoring local flavors at the Taste of Generosity event in Royal Oak to celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary (20 years!) at a Detroit Tigers game, complete with accessibility wins at Comerica Park. But our travels didn’t stop there. We also traveled to Lansing for MS State Action Day, where we met with lawmakers to advocate for solutions to medical debt, a critical issue for many in the MS community. Additionally, we share updates from our recent neurology appointment in Ann Arbor, including how a small medication adjustment made a significant difference in Dan’s sleep and daily life. Join us as we reflect on the power of self-care, the importance of caregiver support, and how embracing each moment keeps us moving forward together. Here are the links we referenced that offer depth and insights for our conversation: • Epic in-state journeys from baseball @ Comerica to lawmakers @ the Capitol – Our blog photo essay that highlights the moments we discuss in this episode. • Episode 84 – Taking on MSd with the Wrong MFR – Link to the podcast episode featuring our conversation with Adam Powell, one of the many friends we a chance meeting with at Taste of Generosity. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

In the epic episode, we welcome legendary blogger, podcaster and fashion icon Ardra Shephard. In our conversation, we celebrate her trailblazing work in the MS and disability communities and get an inside look into her highly anticipated memoir, “Fallosophy: My Trip through Life with MS,” released in March 2025. Ardea shares her journey with writing, how MS has affected her identity, and the importance of honesty and humor in her storytelling. She also discusses her award-winning blog and podcast, "Tripping on Air," and touches on the growth of adaptive fashion and the vital role of community and support for people with chronic illnesses.  Our chat concludes with the ACTOMS Podcast feature “MS In Their Voices,” where Ardra reads the first chapter of her book, "Dear Satan," which humorously recounts a foretelling Halloween night with friends. Here are the links that offer depth and insights for our conversation: • “Fallosophy: My Trip through Life with MS”– Get all the info you need about Ardra’s book and how you can order your copy of the memoir that Dan says every person living with MS has to read. • Tripping on Air  – Keep up with Ardra through her award-winning blog and podcast • 7 Questions with A Couple featuring Ardra Shephard – Dig into the ACTOMS archives and check out our November 2022 conversation with Ardra. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease. **Episode feature image photo by Alkan Emin

When you are living with Multiple Sclerosis, how do you know when you need to take on fewer activities? To take a break. To say, “Not today.” To give yourself permission and just stop. In this episode, we reflect on these thoughts after a busy month filled with activities—everything from family visiting for a week to undergoing several MS treatments; making a trip back to Iowa to see more family; being interviewed by several media outlets; and attending several baseball games, concerts, and church committee meetings.  All that, on top of Dan working full-time, Jennifer maintaining our home life with her caregiver Jen, and, oh yeah, both of us living with MS. Join us in our conversation about how we continually try to know our limits in what we can and can’t do, while granting ourselves the grace to sit things out guilt-free in the name of self-care and investing our time and energy in the moments that matter. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Adam Powell’s social media account name says it all. Indeed, Multiple Sclerosis MSd w/the Wrong MFR when it decided to enter his life as Primary Progressive MS in June 2019. Join us for this engaging and insightful conversation with Adam Powell, a committed MS advocate and inspiring voice for the MS community. Adam shares the frustration of an initial misdiagnosis—with his symptoms first mistaken for a sports hernia—and the life-changing shift when his condition rapidly worsened, forcing him to use a wheelchair. Using vulnerability and humor, he emphasizes the importance of mental strength and perseverance in managing MS and talks about how he’s now aiming to launch his own MS nonprofit to help others. Listen for his meme-worthy comments on the power of resilience, the importance of community, and the belief that even in tough moments, progress is possible. Be sure to follow Adam on: • Instagram • TikTok ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Yes, it’s been 10 months since our last podcast, but we didn’t stop moving forward. Rather, we stepped away to give ourselves time. Dealing with Jennifer’s dad's illness and coping with his passing on October 5, 2024, revealed realities no one could have prepared us for.  It still is hitting us hard. Time has gone on, and with it, we realized it was time to continue moving forward with the things we had set aside, such as our A Couple Takes On MS podcast and blog. Join us for this comeback episode of sorts, where we share insights into our emotional journey through personal loss, health challenges, and unwavering resilience. We also explain how a recent trip to Boston and a Red Sox game at Fenway Park — as part of a regularly scheduled MS4MS event — helped us honor, remember and celebrate Jennifer’s dad. As Jennifer said, "Life with Multiple Sclerosis doesn't stop - and neither do we!" Whether you're living with a chronic illness or supporting someone who is, we hope this episode offers comfort, humor, and heartfelt moments that remind us all that life's challenges don't define us — how we face them does. Here are links to sites that offer depth and insights for this conversation: • From grief to gratitude: Remembering My Dad at Fenway with MS4MS – Our A Couple Takes on MS blog post from Jennifer about the reasons behind and the photos that tell the stories of this epic, once-in-a-lifetime trip. • Mission Stadiums for Multiple Sclerosis – Official website that tells you everything about the awesomeness that is MS4MS. • 7 Questions with A Couple featuring Sam Greenberg – Our interview with Sam, CEO and founder of MS4MS, that appeared on our blog in 2021. • Navigating pomp and unexpected circumstances – Learn all about Dan’s graduation ceremony this past May at Wartburg College, where he received his MA in Leadership and gave his class address during the hooding ceremony without ever setting foot on the campus back in Iowa. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

To complement our recent blog post – From love at first sight to a focus on in-home care – about our love story getting featured by the IMPART Alliance at Michigan State University, here is an encore post of one of our top-performing podcasts that gives insights into our lives as each other’s caregiver. Enjoy! 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 Care video series. Join us for this episode of A Couple Takes on MS Podcast as we discuss what the experience was like to have film crews from NYC and Detroit arrive at our home in Michigan to capture our day-to-day realities and explore why caregiving is the story that must be told. All in all, being a family caregiver is a double-edged sword that can be both a blessing and a burden, and we went into our marriage knowing what we were facing. Or did we? There is so much to being a caregiver. And we are not alone in this experience. According to estimates from the National Alliance for Caregiving, during the past year, 65.7 million Americans (or 29% of the adult U.S. adult population involving 31% of all U.S. households) served as family caregivers for an ill or disabled relative. Reports also indicated that 24.4% of adults aged 45 to 64 years are caregivers compared to 18.8% of adults aged 65 years and older. One in four (25.4%) women are caregivers compared to one in five (18.9%) men. Here are the links we referenced for you to follow up on: • Healthline presents Taking Care – Healthline’s three-part series that includes stories about caregiving relationships within the Alzheimer’s, breast cancer and the MS (that’s us!) communities. • caregiving.com – Comprehensive online caregiving resource for which Dan serves as a Caregiving Champion. • 14 resources for family caregivers to make managing it all less stressful – Insightful article posted on care.com.

Looking for a way to overcome your chronic illness? Fuggedaboutit! Seriously. Forget about it. Easier said than done, right? Jennifer recently reflected on this when she wrote: “I am aware of my Multiple Sclerosis every single day. The disease cannot be avoided, as it is everywhere in my life, from its treatment, symptoms, and progression. It’s easy to let disease be our focus, but it is important and valuable to distract ourselves from it too.” Join us for this episode of A Couple Takes on MS Podcast as we explore the importance of engaging in activities that distract your mind and prevent the disease from consuming your every thought. Whether it’s listening to music, reading a book, or going out for the night to watch a baseball game with our beloved Great Lakes Loons, MS is no longer front and center in our lives. And we found comfort in knowing that we aren’t the only ones who feel this way and are not letting MS control our minds. Keynote speaker and best-selling author Mike Robbins has explained that the goal of this kind of thinking is "... to choose to ‘distract’ ourselves (i.e. get out of our heads, let go of our negative worries, and take a conscious break from the day-to-day stress of life) in a truly healthy way. When our motivation is positive (we're not avoiding anything, but choosing consciously to take a break), the outcome and experience of our ‘distraction’ is more likely to be healthy and beneficial.” Let our conversation be a distraction of sorts to find ways to get it out of your head from time to time. Here are links to sites to help you continue this conversation: • 60 Healthy and Uplifting Distractions – Delaware Psychological Services article highlighting the positives to distracting ourselves   • Distracting Yourself in Healthy Ways – HuffPost essay by Mike Robbins that gets to the core of the hows and whys behind purposely distracting ourselves. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Tyler Susko, Ph.D., knows a thing or two about walking a mile in the shoes of people with walking difficulties. So much so, he is making their experiences better… one step at a time. Tyler is the Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Cadense, the company that's revolutionizing the way the world thinks about adaptive footwear. We mean, that’s what happens when a person with mechanical engineering expertise and a compassionate heart pursues his passions and builds a team that combines robotic design, neurorehabilitation, and functional biomechanics. They create groundbreaking adaptive solutions like Cadense Adaptive Shoes. Join us for this episode of A Couple Takes on MS Podcast as we sit down and have an engaging conversation with Tyler about his work that is impacting so many people’s lives. Tyler, who earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, has focused on developing mobility products for people with disabilities for over a decade. He is an active professor of teaching at UC Santa Barbara where he teaches nine courses in product and machine design. In our chat with Tyler, we step into everything from the: • Cutting-edge science behind Cadense Adaptive Shoes • New form of robotic gait therapy—the MIT Skywalker—he designed, fabricated and tested while at MIT • High school experience Tyler had that sparked his commitment to improving the quality of life for people with movement challenges • Vision he has for the future of adaptive technologies Here are links to sites to help you continue this conversation: • Cadense – Website for Cadense, where you can learn more about the shoes and their adaptive technology, reviews of the shoes, and ways that you can order them. • Shoes for Drop Foot: Help Prevent Trips/Falls with these shoes for foot drop! – YouTube video where Dr. Gretchen Hawley, physical therapist and MS-certified specialist, evaluates the impact of Cadense Adaptive Shoes on people’s waling abilities. • How Multiple Sclerosis Affects Gait and Walking – Article from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society that looks into how the disease causes challenges with walking and the strategies people can use to improve their gait and movement. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Continuing our focus on Disability Pride Month, I started thinking that we all are different, but is disability just another form of different? It’s one thing for an adult to stare at me in my power wheelchair and make unintentionally insensitive comments such as, “I wish I had one of those today!” or “Do you have a driver’s license for that?” The reality is adults should know better, but such comments open the doors for a constructive conversation and teachable moments. Yet how do we talk to children about people living with disabilities? About people who, in their minds, seem “different.” The immediate reaction from their mannerly parents often is a stern, aggressively whispered phrase like, “Don’t stare! That’s not nice.” Is this the ideal way for parents to react? How should parents handle these situations with their children?   Join us for this episode as Dan and I have a thoughtful conversation with Erica Miedema about the best way to approach this subject with her almost 10-year-old son, Maximus. The three of us delve into different approaches to talking with children who are curious about people with disabilities and how to turn their questions into truly teachable moments. P.S. You may remember Maximus when he was our podcast guest who interviewed us in Episode 51: From the runway to Walk MS. :-) Here are links to sites to help you continue this conversation: • Respecting Differences: How to Talk With Your Child About Disabilities • 10 Strategies for Talking to Kids About Disabilities • People First Language ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July. Pride in disability? For real? Yes, for real. As A Couple Takes on MS, Dan and I are proud, but it is complicated. Am I proud that I no longer can walk and the whole world can see I truly am disabled because I need to use a power wheelchair for mobility? Likewise, is Dan proud that he struggles and nobody can see his invisible disabilities triggered by the limited feeling in his hands and feet?  Absolutely! But, as I said, it’s complicated. Pride is defined as a feeling of satisfaction derived from one's own achievements or the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated with. This is the beauty of the month-long celebration that offers opportunities to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of our disability community. It’s also held in July to mark, commemorate and celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which President George H.W. Bush signed into law July 26, 1990. Join us for this episode as we share our broad-based perspectives on Disability Pride Month, including our reservations on claiming pride in our visible and invisible disabilities as well as the empowerment that comes from proudly celebrating our collective accomplishments in spite of our disabilities.   Here are links to the sites we discussed in our conversation: • Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month – Article from The Arc, the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. • What is Disability Pride Month? – Essay from Inclusive Employers, the UK's first and leading membership organization for employers looking to build inclusive workplaces. • Disability Pride Month Background – Information and resources from the USDA’s AgLearn to encourage engagement for this annual celebration. • Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorized with Accessible Air Travel Provisions – National Multiple Sclerosis Society news release about President Biden signing a 5-year FAA reauthorization which includes provisions to make air travel better for the disability community. The bill's passage follows a 387-26 vote in the U.S. House of Representatives and 88-4 vote in the U.S. Senate. And, yes, this bill is among the reasons why Dan and I advocate and are MS activists. It’s also the topic of an op ed piece I wrote for our local newspaper. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

In Episode 77, Dan (and he admits it) was struggling cognitively. But was his scatteredness because he was tired? Age? Doing too much? Living with Multiple Sclerosis? In response to these questions, we can answer potentially, maybe, possibly and perhaps. It’s hard to tell what the cause was, but MS seems to lead the pack in reasons why. It turns out that cognitive problems are a common issue of MS, affecting 40 to 60% of people at some point in their disease course. These problems can vary from person to person. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, some common cognitive deficits include:  • Learn and remember information • Process incoming information • Organize, plan, problem-solve and make decisions • Focus, maintain and shift attention • Act on information and communicate it to others • Find words • Relate visual information to the space around you (accurately perceiving your environment) • Perform calculations Join us for this episode as we open up about the cognitive challenges we each have encountered and brainstorm (pun totally intended) about what the underlying reasons for our involuntary missteps in mindfulness. Here are links to the sites we discussed in our conversation: Comprehending cog fog • What is Cog Fog (Cognitive or Brain Fog) and How to Deal with This MS Symptom – Link to Healthline article that addresses the science behind this reality and tips to see your way through the fog. • Can Stimulants Help With MS Fatigue? – MyMSTeam article about using stimulants to provide energy and manage MS fatigue. And then there is this (ugh, because I AM getting older) • Many women have cognition issues during menopause – UCLA Health Q & A that provides insights and advice to a patient asking about hormone replacement therapy in dealing with menopause. So, with MS and age, how do we keep sharp?  • Tips for dealing with memory and thinking problems – Story from MS Society UK that offers simple ways and exercises to improve your memory and thinking skills. • How Does Cognitive Rehabilitation for MS Work? 4 Ways It Can Help –  Article from MyMSTeam that highlights a type of therapy that can help boost your memory, attention, and processing of information. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Not every person could seamlessly tie together the concepts of Step Therapy Reform and the Crap Gap. You just need to leave it to A Couple. Because to us it makes perfect sense to connect: • A bill in the Michigan House of Representatives that will ensure people with Multiple Sclerosis can get the medications they need without detrimental delays to • The stretch between disease-modifying therapy (DMT) infusions when MS symptoms seemingly feel worse. Seriously. We originally thought we were just run down from doing so much over the last several weeks — from traveling to Columbus, Ohio, for a Bruce Springsteen concert to participating in a Walk MS event in Frankenmuth, Dan hurting his back while transferring Jennifer, and everything else we do to make it through each day. Then we realized we each were within several weeks of our scheduled DMT infusion. Could our exhaustion be a direct result of this supposed Crap Gap? Speaking of DMT infusions and the Crap Gap, we capped off our busy few weeks with the virtual MS State Action Day for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society where we addressed legislation for Step Therapy Reform in the State of Michigan (Hint: MS DMTs often are the targets for step therapy). Join us for this conversation where we tackle these topics and offer insights into how our listeners who live in Michigan can get involved in advocating for Step Therapy Reform. Here are links to the sites we discussed in our conversation: • Support Step Therapy Reform – Link for Michigan residents to contact your State Representative urging them to support HB 5339 so individuals living with MS can have access to their doctor-prescribed medications in a timely manner. • What Is the ‘Crap Gap’ Between MS Infusions? – MyMSTeam article describing this experience when MS symptoms feel worse in weeks leading up to a DMT infusion. • Talking about the Crap Gap – AnCan Multiple Sclerosis Virtual Support Group, which Jennifer serves as a moderator, recording where members discuss the Crap Gap (among several other engaging topics). • How Springsteen softened this Wolverine to embrace the Buckeye State – Get insights into why Jennifer is emotionally conflicted after what likely is the Bruce Springsteen concert she’s ever seen… it just happened to be in Ohio (IYKYK). • Hoyer Lift – Information about the medical equipment we used to transfer Jennifer into and out of bed while Dan recovered from injuring his back. • Stand assist lift devices – Information about the medical equipment we used to transfer Jennifer in the restroom while Dan recovered from injuring his back. • Frankenmuth Walk MS – Learn more about this event and how you can donate to support our team – Team MonsterS. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

So often it seems the more you do, the harder it is to keep your head above water. You tell yourself you just need to get through this task. This morning. This day. Phrases like, “It can wait until tomorrow,” “I don’t need to ask for help,” and “I got this,” fire up your sense of determination. But all they’re really doing is forcing you to burn your candle at both ends, and this leads to, you guessed it, burnout. We are learning that a key to remedying this kind of overwhelmingness isn’t so much about asking others for help, it’s about connecting with them (and yourself) to hold you accountable. Accountability is all about taking responsibility for your actions. And responsibility isn’t something you have to handle all by yourself. Join us for this episode of A Couple Takes on MS Podcast where we open up about the challenges we face when we don't involve someone or something to hold us accountable. This includes everything from a sleep study that is pushing us to actually get to bed before 1 a.m. or Stella, the 1-year-old Olde English bulldog who made us realize that we aren’t the prime candidates for being puppy parents... right now. Here are links to the sites we discussed in our accountability conversation: • Coach, Accountability Buddy, or Friend – Everyday Health Blog essay by iconic MS author Trevis Gleason • Ask an MS Expert: How MS Can Affect Your Sleep – National MS Society conversation between RealTalk MS host Jon Strum and University of Kansas Medical Center’s Sleep, Health & Wellness Lab Director Catherine (Katie) Siengsukon • Music and MS: Going beyond the meme – Dan’s MS Focus Exclusive Content essay that digs into how music (including Bruce Springsteen, of course!) has helped him cope with MS realities • The benefits of living with a pet – Above MS article that highlights the pros of owning a pet ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Since her MS diagnosis in September 2019, Brittany Quiroz—also known as a “A Hot MS”— has been a powerful voice in the Multiple Sclerosis community. Brittany is an author, speaker, MS activist and a talented singer/songwriter. Whew! Did we say she’s a powerful voice? She figuratively AND literally is! Her recently released single “Never Have My Soul” is a powerful, empowering and inspirational masterpiece that encapsulates the triumph every person living with MS strives for each day. We are thrilled to share a snippet of her single to kick off our engaging and point-blank honest conversation with Brittany. Join us as we get a glimpse into the matter-of-fact and motivational mind of A Hot MS. Hear what led to her diagnosis, what keeps her going and why she encourages others to, “Celebrate Your Mess!” Here are links to the sites we discuss in our chat with Brittany: • “Never Have My Soul” – Follow this link to purchase and download Brittany’s single, which she is generously donating all of its proceeds back to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. • A Hot MS – Catch up with Brittany through her website. • All The Odds ­– Catch this podcast to listen in on Brittany’s conversations with others who have risen above the challenges they’re facing. ***** Remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

You say flare. I say exacerbation. Or is it relapse? Whatever you call it, MS is progressing.   All it took was the recent Healthline article Is an MS Flare-Up the Same as a Relapse? to make us remember that contrary to wearing orange and observing March as MS Awareness Month, increasing understanding of this chronic progressive disease is a year-round venture. After all, we each have had Multiple Sclerosis for 25+ years, and we still had questions about what exactly IS the difference between an MS flare-up, attack, exacerbation and relapse. You say “tow-MAY-tow” I say “tow-MAH-tow,” right? Not necessarily. Join us as we figuratively pick our brains to make sense of what should be a seemingly simple concept. And yes, it is a big deal. This – whatever you call it — is at the core of monitoring and measuring the progression of what actually is a very complex disease. And in breaking this down, we expand our MS awareness conversation to include discussions about: • The advice we each share with someone who is newly diagnosed with MS • What we wish someone living with MS would have told us about the disease when we were first diagnosed • The importance of staying informed and being flexible in dealing with MS • How to keep conversations about MS going throughout the other 11 months of the year And remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

Always believe in the power of your voice and your story to influence change. Whether it’s at the local, state or national level, your experiences are valuable in making things better for you and many others dealing with the same circumstances and situations. We were honored that we had the opportunity to attend the National MS Society Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., the first week of March (officially MS Awareness Month!) and join nearly 200 other MS activists on Capitol Hill March 6 to advocate for MS-related legislative issues. We are grateful for the members of Congress and the legislative aides for our U.S. Senators from Michigan for meeting with us and other state MS Activists to discuss Congressional action to: • Prioritize the extension and improvement of access to telehealth by cosponsoring and supporting the CONNECT for Health Act • Prioritize $20 million for the MS Research Program in FY25 Join us for this episode we break down these two issues, why they are so important for people living with MS, and why your voice is needed in the MS community. Advocacy is always empowering. We all have a story to share. And nobody knows your story better than you. Take some time to become an MS activist today! And remember to rate, review and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.