Library Articles
At Can Do MS, we know that the power of knowledge can transform lives and expand beliefs about what is possible.
These articles are written by our nationwide team of program consultants - renowned healthcare professionals dedicated to educating people living with MS and their support partners. You will find valuable information and approaches covering our Six Dimensions of Wellness- Emotional Well-Being, Cognitive Well-Being; Home & Work; Diet, Exercise & Healthy Behaviors; Relationships; and Spirituality.
These articles are provided as general educational resources and should not be interpreted as diagnoses, prognoses, or treatment suggestions. Information and perspectives represent the views of the individual author(s); Can Do Multiple Sclerosis is not responsible for the accuracy or currency of the responses. Readers should consult with their healthcare team.
Landing on Your Feet When Your World is Turned Upside Down
By: Rosalind Kalb, PhD and Rhonda Canby
Change is part of our lives. We strive for some of those changes – for example, growing up, getting an education, finding a partner, or winning the lottery. Others may be thrust upon us – for example aging, losing a loved one, or being diagnosed with a chronic illness. All changes, whether positive or negative, can be challenging. If you think about getting a new job, starting a new relationship, or having a baby, the challenges as well as the pleasures are pretty obvious.
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Debunking MS-Related Nutrition Myths
By: Mona Bostick, RDN, LDN - Registered Dietitian
Finding nutrition information online is easy. In fact, it is hard to escape! But how reliable is the information you find online? How good is the advice from your favorite Instagram account, from your favorite celebrity, or your well-meaning neighbor or friend?
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Communicating with Family: Tips and Strategies
By: Rosalind Kalb, PhD - Psychologist
Sharing information about MS with family members isn’t always easy or straightforward. Different family members want and need different kinds of information; people sometimes have preconceived ideas about what MS is and what you should be doing to manage it; some family members are better able than others to keep information private if you ask them to. In addition, the information you provide needs to change as the disease changes or affects you in different ways. So it’s a good idea to have a strategy in mind for how to deal with the information needs of the people in your family.
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Getting There: How MS Symptoms affect Mobility and Mobility Options
By: Mandy Rohrig, PT, DPT, MSCS - Physical Therapist and Nurse Practitioner, Kathleen Healey, APRN, PhD
What does mobility mean to you? Walking through the grocery store, completing a toilet transfer independently, or maybe using a scooter to get to and from your grandchild’s soccer game, because the grass on the soccer fields are unforgiving and certainly a trip hazard. What mobility means to you is simply “getting there” – getting where you want to go and participating in activities you want to do in order to bring meaning, purpose, and fulfillment to your life.
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Managing Moods: An O.T. Perspective
By: Stephanie Nolan, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Mood changes are very common in people with MS and there are several healthcare team members that can help you manage these symptoms so you can live your best life. An occupational therapist (PT) can offer strategies to adapt your environment and lifestyle to conserve energy, which can impact your mood.
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Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: Unique Features and Considerations
By: Anusha Yeshokumar, MD and James Sumowski, PhD
Pediatric-Onset MS is defined as having an onset of MS symptoms prior to the age of 18 years. MS, which affects about 2.5 million people worldwide, is the most common cause of non-traumatic neurologic disability in young adults. It is estimated that there are about 2,000-4,000 cases of pediatric-onset MS worldwide, however, about 10% of people with MS recall in hindsight that their first symptoms starting prior to the age of 18 years.
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Progression Planning: Managing the Common Challenges of Progressive MS
By: Mandy Rohrig, PT, DPT, MSCS and Megan Weigel, DNP, ARNP-C, MSCN
Living with MS can be daunting, especially when you are worrying about or dealing with disease progression. Progression can seem less overwhelming when you have a plan. Developing problem solving strategies and solutions to manage common physical, cognitive, and medical challenges that happen with disease progression can help dispel worries.
Continue ReadingVitamin D: Updated Questions & Answers
By: Megan Weigel, DNP, ARNP-C, MSCN - Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and Can Do MS Programs Consultant
It seems like you can’t pick up a publication these days without reading about how many of us seem to have low levels of Vitamin D. Recent studies have shown that 30-60% of us are at risk of low Vitamin D levels. So, here a few common questions about Vitamin D
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Leisure: Why It's Important & Where You Can Find It
By: Can Do Multiple Sclerosis
Leisure is a domain of life that is very important, particularly for people with neurological disorders. It's important to understand that leisure does not equal laziness- leisure can improve your physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and spiritual wellness. Learn about the research being done on the impacts of leisure on MS, as well as resources to understand more about the benefits of leisure and local opportunities to discover new activities and experiences.
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It Takes a Village: When Cognition Shifts Roles
By: Meghan Beier, PhD and Darla Freeman MA, CCC/SLP
Approximately 65% of individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS) will experience cognitive change. This change can occur anytime in the disease. Approximately one-third of individuals experience cognitive difficulties even before they are officially diagnosed. Below we will highlight the domains most commonly impacted by MS, how they can impact relationships, and a few tips for improvement.
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