Living With MS Episodes

Welcome to this MS Awareness Week bonus episode of RealTalk MS. In this special episode, I'm talking with Damian Washington. Damian is an actor and a prolific vlogger. He was diagnosed with MS in 2016, and when you watch one of Damian's videos, it's impossible not to be hooked by his infectious personality. I'm also talking with Dan and Jennifer Digmann. Jennifer was diagnosed with progressive MS in 1997, and Jennifer's husband Dan was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2000. Dan & Jennif...

It's hard to talk to anyone about anything without talking about the coronavirus. And because the CDC has announced that people with weakened immune systems may be particularly vulnerable to this virus, people affected by MS can feel as though they have even more reason to worry. My guest is clinical psychologist Dr. Abbey Hughes and we're talking about how people affected by MS should be thinking about the coronavirus, and what they should and shouldn't be doing about it. You'll also hear abo...

My guest is Dr. Jackie Bhattarai and we're talking about her research exploring the disparities in MS-related depression and fatigue symptoms between African-Americans living with MS and Caucasians living with MS. We're also talking about positive clinical trial results for a drug that slows disability progression in people living with primary progressive MS and non-active secondary progressive MS. And we'll tell you about the new MS drug from Novartis that's awaiting FDA and EMA approval. You...

In just two weeks, the National MS Society is hosting its annual Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. The centerpiece of that conference is our Day On The Hill when 300 MS Activists meet with our Congressional Representatives and Senators to discuss the legislative issues that are most important to people affected by MS. My guest is Bari Talente, the Executive Vice President of Advocacy for the National MS Society and we're talking all about this year's Public Policy Conference and the v...

My guest is Dr. Riley Bove, and we're talking about some of the things you might want to consider when you're thinking about getting pregnant, some important things to consider when you are pregnant, some things to discuss when you and your doctor are planning your delivery, and things to be aware of following your pregnancy. We're also talking about the results of two different studies that underscore the important relationship between the gut and MS. We'll give you a few different opportunit...

We're exploring the healing power of adventure. My guest is Brad Ludden, the founder of First Descents, a non-profit organization that, since 2001, has taken over 10,000 young adult oncology patients on more than 1,000 outdoor adventures that feature activities like rock-climbing, kayaking, and surfing. Last year, First Descents expanded their programming to include outdoor adventures designed for young adults living with MS. And every one of these adventures is offered at no cost to the partici...

Access to MS symptom self-management care is extremely limited. That's why my guest, Dr. Anna Kratz, and her colleagues created My MS Toolkit -- a web-based, self-guided symptom self-care program designed especially for people with MS. (And it's FREE!) We're talking with Dr. Kratz about how My MS Toolkit was developed and what makes it such a powerful online tool for people living with MS. We're also talking about the latest petitions filed with the Supreme Court in the battle over the Afforda...

MS Warriors are those special individuals whose efforts on behalf of people affected by MS go above and beyond the norm to raise awareness, raise funds, and raise our spirits My guest this week is Marc Boyer. Marc biked more than 4,000 miles, from one end of Canada to the other, raising over $160,000 for the MS Society of Canada. Marc not only raised money that will fund important MS research, his coast-to-coast ride also raised MS awareness throughout Canada. We're also taking a look back at t...

This episode is sponsored by Celgene and the MS MindShift Initiative, which aims to educate about the important role the brain plays in MS. My guest is Cathy Chester, who is a paid spokesperson for the MS MindShift. Cathy has lived with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis since 1986 and knows that although she has MS, MS does not have her. Today, Cathy hopes to empower, educate and inspire others to live a rich, full life despite living with a disability. We'll be talking to Cathy about how...

This episode is sponsored by Celgene and the MS MindShift Initiative, which aims to educate about the important role the brain plays in MS. My guest is Jodi Johnson, who is a paid spokesperson for the MS MindShift. Jodi has been living with MS for almost 12 years after having been diagnosed in January of 2008. Since her diagnosis, Jodi has shifted her perspective on the disease to focus on what she can do, instead of what she cannot. We'll be talking to Jodi about coping with MS through person...