A Couple Takes on MS

“We want to continue doing things.” — Jennifer

Living with Multiple Sclerosis involves more than managing symptoms. There’s also the work people don’t always see.

In this episode of A Couple Takes on MS, we pull back the curtain on the hidden work of living with MS and the reality that, as Jennifer puts it, “Everything takes longer.”

But this isn’t about complaining. It’s about acknowledging what living with MS requires while continuing to participate, adapt, and show up.

In this episode, we talk about:

So much of this work remains hidden because we’ve gotten pretty good at doing it. Talking about it can remind us that none of us has to figure everything out alone.

What is some of the hidden work you do to live with MS, disability, or chronic illness? And what tricks or adaptations make it a little easier? Reach out to us at [email protected] to share your experiences!

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Thank you for listening to A Couple Takes on MS. We're grateful you're moving forward with us one step, one roll, and one story at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who may relate.

“I’d rather live my life than have MS live it for me.”

We’ll admit it: For a long time, whenever we saw stories about gut health, diet, and Multiple Sclerosis, we pretty much shrugged our shoulders.

After all, we’ve each been living with MS for more than 25 years. What difference could gut bacteria possibly make for us now?

Turns out, that may have been the wrong question.

In this episode of A Couple Takes on MS, we dig into some recent research that made us think differently about gut health and Multiple Sclerosis, inflammation, and the choices we make while living with MS.

We quickly discovered the conversation raises far more questions than answers.

• How much attention should we pay to what we eat and how it makes us feel?

• What can we actually control when living with an unpredictable disease?

• At what point does trying to live healthier start getting in the way of simply living?

We certainly don’t have all the answers, but we’re realizing that staying open to new information may be just as important as anything we thought we already knew.

And because this is A Couple Takes on MS, we also took a slight detour involving our 21st wedding anniversary, first legal drinks, and a late-night run for Taco Bell. 😉

Here are the links that offer further insights into our conversation:

• A healthy diet becomes a post-diagnosis priority in MS, study finds

• Gut-Microbiota, and Multiple Sclerosis: Background, Evidence, and Perspectives

• Mediterranean-style diet may lower MS risk, study suggests

• Teenagers who eat a healthy diet face less risk of later MS, study suggests

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Thank you for listening to A Couple Takes on MS. We're grateful you're moving forward with us one step, one roll, and one story at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little encouragement today.

“Those moments are teachable, not only for others but for ourselves.”

Sex. Drugs. Rock and roll.

Yep, we're going there.

Well, sort of.

In this episode of A Couple Takes on MS, we're talking about three recent experiences that reminded us how living with Multiple Sclerosis can turn everyday moments into opportunities to advocate, adapt, learn, and sometimes laugh.

Join us as we take on:

Yes, sex, drugs, and rock and roll sparked this conversation, but the real lesson is something we continue learning again and again while living with MS: keep asking questions, keep advocating for yourself, and leave a little room for grace along the way.

From the ACTOMS blog

Want the full story behind the “rock and roll” part of this episode? Jennifer shares how a ticketing mistake, some incredible people, and a little patience turned an accessibility challenge at Pine Knob Music Theatre into one of our favorite concert experiences.

Read Sometimes accessibility looks like community

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Thank you for listening to A Couple Takes on MS. We're grateful you're moving forward with us one step, one roll, and one story at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little encouragement today.

Editor's note:

As students prepare to head back to school, we’re excited to revisit one of our favorite conversations. Children are naturally curious, and the way we answer their questions about disability can shape a lifetime of understanding, kindness, and inclusion.

This episode was originally released on July 15, 2024, during Disability Pride Month, but its message about talking to children about disabilities feels especially meaningful as a new school year begins. We hope you'll join us for this encore presentation.

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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?”

Such comments can open the door for constructive conversations 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.”

But what if a child’s curiosity could become an opportunity for understanding? How can parents help turn these situations into teachable moments?

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 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 meaningful conversations about understanding, kindness, and inclusion.

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:

• People First Language

• 10 Strategies for Talking to Kids About Disabilities

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Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

"We have to stay on top of it. There isn't a golden year where MS suddenly decides to be kind to us."

Growing older is something we all experience. But when you live with Multiple Sclerosis, aging often raises a different question: Which changes are simply part of getting older, and which are caused by MS?

In this episode, we reflect on a recent MS Views and News webinar featuring Dr. Aaron Boster—MS and Aging—that challenged us to think differently about aging with MS.

We discuss disease-modifying therapies, protecting our functional reserve, and the healthy habits that can help preserve the life and abilities we have today.

We also share updates from our recent neurology visits and infusion treatments, discuss adapting to changes in healthcare, and reflect on why community support remains one of the best resources for navigating life with MS.

In this episode, we explore:

What habits or routines have helped you age well while living with MS? We'd love to hear your story and learn what's worked for you. Connect with us through our website or at [email protected].

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Thank you for listening to A Couple Takes on MS. We're grateful you're moving forward with us one step, one roll, and one story at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider following the podcast, leaving a rating or review, and sharing it with someone who could use a little encouragement today.

"Sometimes the best medical news isn't dramatic. Sometimes it's hearing one simple word: Stable."

Continuing our previous conversation about Multiple Sclerosis progression and reclassification, we're back with the update we'd been hoping to share.

After meeting with our neurologist, reviewing MRI results, and establishing care with a new primary care provider, we're reflecting on what stability really means after living with Multiple Sclerosis for decades and why "stable" can be one of the most encouraging words you'll ever hear.

We also talk about rebuilding strength after setbacks, why physical therapy still matters, and the importance of finding healthcare providers who truly listen.

In this episode, we discuss:

We also explore why building strong relationships with your neurologist and primary care provider can make a tremendous difference throughout your MS journey.

What makes a great neurologist or healthcare provider in your experience?

Have you ever changed doctors because you weren't being heard?

Or have you found a physician who has made all the difference in your MS journey?

Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us through our website or Email

Thank you for listening to A Couple Takes on MS. We're grateful you're moving forward with us one step, one roll, and one story at a time.

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Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

"We aren't looking for answers yet. We're learning how to sit with the questions."

As we prepare for an upcoming appointment with our neurologist, a simple question from Jennifer sparked a conversation neither of us expected to have.

What if Dan's MS has progressed?

To be clear, nothing has changed. We haven't received any new diagnosis, and Dan has not been reclassified from relapsing-remitting MS to secondary progressive MS. But after nearly three decades of living with Multiple Sclerosis and noticeable changes in his gait and energy levels, it felt like an important conversation to have.

In this episode, we talk openly about our fears, questions, and uncertainties that can come with long-term MS. We discuss:

More than anything, this episode is about facing possibilities without letting them define us. Regardless of what happens at our next neurology appointment, we are still the same people we were before we walked into the office.

We hope you'll join us for this conversation, especially if you've ever wondered what the future might hold for your MS or how to navigate the uncertainty that comes with living with a chronic illness.

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Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

“For a long time, I assumed caregiving was simply what spouses do. Then hernia surgery showed me just how much family caregivers carry every day.”

We have participated in Older Michiganians Day at the Michigan State Capitol for more than two decades, advocating for programs and policies that help people age and live independently in their own homes.

What began as advocacy for Jennifer and the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program has evolved into something much broader: advocating for caregivers, aging in place, and the support systems that help people live with dignity in their own homes.

In this episode, we reflect on a surprising realization that the young couple who first attended Older Michiganians Day more than 20 years ago (that’s us!) now officially qualify as "older Michiganians" themselves.

We discuss Dan's opportunity to speak on the Capitol lawn about family caregiving, the lessons learned during his recent hernia surgery recovery, and why support for unpaid family caregivers is becoming increasingly important as Michigan's population ages.

In this episode, we get real about:

We hope this conversation encourages you to learn more about caregiving, advocacy, and the importance of supporting those who support others.

Here are the links that offer further insights into our conversation:

Thank you for listening to A Couple Takes on MS.

We are honored to be included among FeedSpot's 40 Best Multiple Sclerosis Podcasts. While rankings aren't why we do this work, we're grateful for the opportunity to share our experiences and connect with others navigating life with MS.

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Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.

“Is it ever enough… or are we always waiting for the next breakthrough, the next voice, the next reason to hope?”

We found ourselves in an unexpected place for this episode: talking about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through the lens of the NFL Draft.

Of course, the #1 overall draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was making lots of headlines, but the stories went way beyond his leadership on the football field.

Mendoza also was gaining attention for championing efforts to raise awareness and funding for research to end MS, the disease which his mom, Elsa, has lived with since 2008.

So when a high-profile moment shines a spotlight on MS, whether it’s with the #1 NFL draft pick or a celebrity diagnosis, it raises a bigger question:

What do we actually want from that attention?

Visibility definitely opens the doors for MS advocacy and research, but it can also create comparisons that don’t reflect the reality of living with MS. As with everything in MS, there is more than one answer.

In this episode, we explore the complicated mix of MS awareness, expectations, frustration, and hope that comes with seeing Multiple Sclerosis represented in the public eye and across media. We talk about:

We also reflect on how far the MS community has come—from just a few disease-modifying therapies to more than two dozen today—and why, even with that progress, it still can feel like we’re waiting.

Here are the links that offer further insights into our conversation:

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We’d love to hear from you

What do you expect when celebrities or public figures talk about MS? Share your thoughts in the comments or email us at [email protected].

Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease

“I don’t expect to see a cure in my lifetime… but I will never give up hope.”

Some conversations feel bigger than the milestone they represent.

As we reach Episode 100 of the A Couple Takes on MS Podcast, we knew this moment was about more than looking back. It was about honoring the people who helped us move forward.

For us, that starts with Cathy Chester.

In our 100th episode, we sit down with Cathy, an iconic multi-award-winning MS advocate, writer, and someone who has played a meaningful role in helping us find our voice in this space.

She was diagnosed in 1986 and brings nearly four decades of lived experience to a conversation that is honest, reflective, and deeply needed.

We talk about what it really means to age with Multiple Sclerosis, the uncertainty of separating MS from “normal” aging, and how perspective evolves over time.

Cathy shares what it was like navigating a diagnosis before treatments existed, how hope has shifted over the years, and why community and communication still matter now more than ever.

This includes talking about:

More than anything, this episode is about resilience and learning to live in the unknown while choosing hope.

And this conversation is a reminder that while treatments, timelines, and expectations may change, the need for honest conversations and real connection never does.

If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

And as always, thank you for being part of this journey with us... 100 episodes and counting.

Here are the links that offer further insights into our conversation:

• Check out Cathy’s website An Empowered Spirit

• Enjoy the 7 Questions with A Couple feature with Cathy on our blog from several years ago

• Get social: Follow Cathy on social media, including Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Remember to rate, review, and subscribe to A Couple Takes on MS Podcast for two insightful perspectives on this one multifaceted disease.