13 msfocusmagazine.org 15 Years of Focusing on the Important Issues Each year, MS Focus selects a theme to help focus attention to important issues facing the MS community. Take a look back at some of the topics we’ve tackled: 2003 MS Sets No Boundaries Highlighted the fact that there is no single ‘face of MS.’ MS can strike all kinds of people. 2004 It Takes a Team to Tackle MS Emphasized the need for support from family, friends, healthcare providers, and the community. 2005 Multiple Challenges, Multiple Solutions Focused on finding creative solutions to problems people with MS face. 2006 March in My Shoes Fostered empathy for the daily struggles of people with MS. 2007 Lights, Camera, Action Illuminated the facts and shattered the myths about MS by encouraging participants to share pictures, videos, and stories of their lives with MS. 2008 MS Heroes Celebrated the people with MS, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare providers who are heroes for the MS community. 2009 NowYou See It, NowYou Don’t Brought awareness to the unpredictability of MS and the challenges of living with invisible symptoms. 2010 Ready, Set, Shine Helped individuals to focus on who they are outside of MS, and to find ways to shine despite limitations. 2011 My Search Encouraged those with MS to share what MS has taught them, and how they’ve learned to cope. 2012 At Your Best with MS Stressed the vital importance of a healthy lifestyle and positive thinking for people with MS. 2013 Don’t Give Up, A.D.A.P.T. Using an acronym for “Assess, Decide, Adjust, Prepare, Try,” the theme helped individuals with MS learn to compensate for limitations MS may impose. 2014 MS Counts Raised awareness of the need to stand up and be counted for MS, participating in research and encouraging legislative action. 2015 Team Fearless: MS Advocates Unite! Motivated individuals with MS and their lovedones to participate in self-advocacy, and join with other advocates in their community. 2016 Beyond MS Brought attention to areas of life affected by MS beyond the medical, including finances, health insurance, recreation, and accessibility issues. 2017 MS: Change the Focus Endeavored to shift the focus from what people with MS can’t do, to what they can do.