Episode 284: Finding Support When You're Living with MS with Debby Bennett and Ricky Maxwell

MS can sometimes feel isolating. And the ironic thing about those feelings of isolation is that you can experience them even when you're with other people. It's the feeling that, while everyone is being supportive, nobody really gets it. They've never experienced what it's like to actually live with MS. That's why connecting with others who are living with MS can be such a difference-maker. My guests in this episode are Debby Bennett, the Manager of Community Engagement at the National MS Society, and Ricky Maxwell, an MS Society self-help group member and leader, and we're talking about how and where you can find support and connect with others who can better understand some of the things you might be going through.  We're also sharing the details of the National MS Society's latest $7.8 million dollar investment in new research projects aimed at stopping MS progression, restoring lost function, and ending MS forever. We'll tell you about a study that revealed a link between sleep and cognitive issues among people living with MS.  You'll hear about the results of a study that showed how cognitive rehabilitation therapy and mindfulness might improve cognitive dysfunction for people with MS. We'll tell you about this year's recipient of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research (and we'll explain what makes her such an outstanding choice!) The National MS Society's 2023 Pathways to Wellness virtual program is just two days away! We'll tell you how and where you can still register for the event. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The value of connecting with others who are living with MS :22 The National MS Society invests $7.8 million in new research projects  1:49 Research reveals link between sleep and cognitive issues among people with MS  4:17 Study shows that cognitive rehabilitation therapy and mindfulness are effective in improving cognition among people with MS 6:58 Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie is this year's recipient of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research  9:42 The 2023 Pathways to Wellness virtual event is two days away  12:57 Debby Bennett and Ricky Maxwell discuss how and why you'll want to connect with others who are living with MS  14:43 Share this episode  27:09 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  27:30 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/284 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Research Summary: Fourteen New Research Projects Funded by the National MS Society https://nms2cdn.azureedge.net/cmssite/nationalmssociety/media/msnationalfiles/research/summaries-of-newly-funded-research-projects-january-2023.pdf RealTalk MS Episode 238: The Pathways to Cures Research Roadmap with Dr. Carol Whitacre and Professor Alan Thompson https://realtalkms.com/238 STUDY: Pathways Between Multiple Sclerosis, Sleep Disorders, and Cognitive Function:  Longitudinal Findings from the Nurses' Health Study https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/13524585221144215 RealTalk MS Episode 259: How Lack of Sleep Affects MS (And What You Can Do About It!) with Dr. Katie Siengsukon https://realtalkms.com/259 STUDY: Cognitive Rehabilitation and Mindfulness Reduce Cognitive Complaints in Multiple Sclerosis (REMIND-MS): A Randomized Controlled Trial https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211034823000330 Pathways to Wellness: Emotional, Spiritual, and Social Wellness Virtual Program https://nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support/Library-Education-Programs/PathwaystoWellness Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 284 Guest: Faith Bigam Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy