07/01/2025
Sometimes the most meaningful growth happens when circumstances seem stacked against you. This quarter, I've been working from a computer with literally half a screen (yes, I dropped it 😫) Despite the challenges, EmpowerMS has experienced transformational growth that fills me with profound gratitude and fierce determination.
✨ Our Programs Came to Life: Shahin Najak, M.Ed and I officially launched our Meeting with Mindfulness program, pouring our hearts into creating something truly transformative. Even more exciting, we enrolled our first paid students in our 12-week Rooted and Resilient: Mindfulness for People with MS and Chronic Pain program. Watching these brave individuals take this step toward healing and empowerment has been nothing short of inspiring.
✨ Research Connections That Matter: I had the incredible opportunity to connect with several amazing MS researchers who provided genuine guidance and support for our mission. These conversations reminded me that we're part of something much larger than ourselves, a community of people dedicated to improving lives affected by MS.
✨ Strategic Partnerships: Our meetings with organizations like MSAA, MNSS, and Can DO MS reinforced that collaboration amplifies impact. Each conversation opened new doors and strengthened our network of support for the MS community.
✨ Community Building Through Education: We hosted powerful live events on topics that matter deeply to our community like MS care partnerships, occupational therapy, and adaptive tools. The engagement and gratitude from participants reminded me why this work is so essential.
✨ Innovative Collaborations: Launching our Independence Toolkit, a collaboration with Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP from Ask Samie for adaptive tools has been a game-changer that will provide our community with practical tools that make daily life with MS more manageable and empowering.
https://www.empowerms.co/mstools
✨ Creating Tools That Bridge Communication Gaps: I have loved flexing my creative muscles as I put my graphic design skills to work on several communication guides developed by Shahin Najak, M.Ed. These resources help people with chronic pain articulate their physical and emotional symptoms, set healthy boundaries, and ask for support. As someone with MS, I know how difficult it can be to describe the impact of living with the disease. These guides are lifelines for people who struggle to help others understand their reality.
✨ Bringing Our Vision to Life Visually: Fulfilling my long lost dream of filmmaking, I created a cute little promo video for EMS that captures the heart of what we're building. And speaking of community building, we welcomed our first members to the EmpowerMS platform, marking a milestone that feels both huge and beautifully intimate.
To everyone who has been part of this journey as a student, collaborator, supporter, or community member, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 💜
My screen may be broken, but my vision is crystal clear.
