b'FFiinnddiinnggYYoouurrCCrreeaattiivveeSSiiddeeAlan R. SegaloExecutive DirectorIf there is a silver lining in the nearly two years of restrictions we have undergone as asociety, it is that we seem to have collectively reassessed our priorities. Many of us who madelittle time for contact with our extended families during our busy lives now regularly participatein family Zoom calls or have ongoing group texts with family. Some of us have reprioritizedour health and mental well-being, now choosing to make time for regular exercise andrelaxation. But perhaps the most surprising change is the sudden resurgence of interest in thearts and creative hobbies. According to one survey, a whopping 60 percent of Americans have started a hobby duringthe pandemic. Another study listed arts and crafts, writing, and learning an instrument amongthe most popular pandemic pursuits. We have experienced this among our MS Focus family.Justine, one of our support service coordinators, discovered a talent for painting. Jan, our MISsupervisor, found she loved creating mosaics. Our director of Communications, Kasey, learnedhand embroidery and took online dance classes. Cherie, a key volunteer and patient advocate,broke out her old sewing machine, and has designed, created, and given away more than 6,000masks. Have you spent time exploring your creative side?Thanks to ground-breaking programs such as the University of Floridas Arts in Medicineprogram, we know the health benets that can come from creative pursuits. While the particularbenets vary for each type of art, all kindsincluding music, dance, writing, visual arts, crafting can have a positive eect on your physical and mental health. Over the years, we have been proud to work with the team at UF to develop programs forpeople with MS. Hear from two of the Arts in Medicine teamWhitney Wilson, dancer inresidence and Cathy DeWitt, musician in residenceon page 12. And see the end of thearticle for information on how you can try their Dance for MS class yourself, thanks to a grantfrom MS Focus. This issue also contains stories from individuals with MS discussing how the arts havebeneted them. For example, visual artist Hannah Garrison shares her story as a creator withMS, and discusses how she works with others to overcome their obstacles to participating in art.(You can experience for yourself how art can be adapted to every ability by joining ourupcoming workshop with Hannah. Find her story and the workshop information on page 24.)Speaking of overcoming obstacles, ballroom dancer Susan Hart explains how she fought tocontinue dancing when she experienced changes of her mobility. Read her story on page 38.Whatever your interests and obstacles, we hope you will nd inspiration in these pages toembrace your creative side. Doing so can improve your health, your mood, and help you ndbetter days.7 msfocusmagazine.org'