July 1, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Switching to new medications brings challenges in life with MS Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with sleep medications and antidepressants. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Many years ago, it was brought to my…
June 24, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama A letter to a younger me newly diagnosed with MS Dear younger self, As I sit down to write this letter, I can’t help but tear up at the thought of you. First and foremost, you’re an amazing soul, full of life and with a bright future ahead…
June 17, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama My little brother is my hero in life with multiple sclerosis My mom always wished for a son and a daughter. Ten years after I was born, her dream became a reality with the arrival of my baby brother, Michael. Because I was the only child for so long, I…
June 3, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama My graduate studies help me better understand the effects of ableism In previous columns, I’ve shared that I’m a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, but what exactly does that entail? Almost every time I tell someone I’m pursuing a doctorate in educational psychology, I’m met…
May 27, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Weak hands are a problematic MS symptom for a graduate student As I’ve mentioned in previous columns, I’m now pursuing a doctorate in educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Given that work, 99.9% of my day revolves around typing, despite my multiple sclerosis (MS). My…
May 20, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Reflections on the meaning of authenticity while living with MS Recognizing and valuing authenticity is an aspect of life I began to grasp only a few years ago. During the peak of quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19, I was forced to move back home to San Antonio from my…
May 13, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Learning to say no takes practice, but it’s essential in life with MS Many of my personal breakthroughs and discoveries occurred during college, when I was living in a new city as a young adult with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). One of those “aha!” moments was understanding that saying no takes…
April 22, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Learning to manage cognitive impairment with multiple sclerosis Upon commencing my undergraduate studies at the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, I pursued a major in prehealth neuroscience. I had decided to pursue this degree shortly after my diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2016, during…
April 8, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama How a support system helps me persevere on my MS journey My graduation ceremony at the University of Texas at Austin had just ended, and there were swarms of people everywhere I looked. I was sweating profusely in the summer heat and overstimulated by the large crowds. Thankfully, my mom…
July 8, 2024 Columns by Desiree Lama Handling an abundance of emotions is part of life with multiple sclerosis