b'Leading a Better Life with MS Dear Readers, In the 2024 NMSEAM toolkit, we examined multiple sclerosis as an autoimmune disorder. We zoomed in the focus to look at what goes wrong in the immune system, and discussed how you can support your immune system for better overall health. This year, were zooming out to look at the whole picture, exploring how MS affects you as a whole person and your wellness. The idea of holistic wellness dates all the way back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, who believed in the balance of the mind, body, and spirit. In todays world, wellness is dened as the state of being in good health, especially as a daily, actively-pursued goal. The term wellness gained recognition in the modern world through the work of Dr. Halbert L. Dunn, often referred to as the father of the wellness movement. Dunn, abiostatistician who was a leader in establishing the United States vital statistics program, wrote and lectured on the idea of wellness. He distinguished between good healthnot being illand what he termed high-level wellness, which he dened as "a condition of change in which the individual moves forward, climbing toward a higher potential of functioning."Through the work of Dunn, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute Dr. Bill Hettler created a concept that included six dimensions (or domains) of wellness. This framework was adapted to create the seven domains we use today, which we will dene and examine in this toolkit. The seven domains may be used as the foundation for care plans between a patient and their healthcare team. As we learn about the seven domains, we will use them as a guide to helping you have better days with MS, not letting MS control your level of wellness. Well examine how you can work with your healthcare team to choose the best DMT for your lifestyle, address how to manage your neglected symptoms, and explore how to safely include natural supplements into your routine if you desire. Additionally, we will explore ways to give back to the MS community whether it is by nding or creating a support system, or contributing in other waysand how doing so can create empowerment within, while helping those facing the same challenges.Sincerely, The MS Focus Team1'