Losing a sense of purpose can be one of the more devastating invisible symptoms of MS. But perfect health is not a prerequisite for a life of meaning. On this episode of the Tripping On Air podcast we’re talking about how to reinvent when MS (or anything) tries to get in the way of your identity and sense of purpose.

The annual Tripping On Air Holiday Gift guide is here and it’s bigger and better than ever, because we know that the right gift can make MS, or any chronic illness, suck just a little bit less. We’ve got 19 gifts for people with MS and more than two thousand dollars worth of giveaways you do not want to miss.

Whether it’s fatigue, concerns about accessibility, or even sensory overload, MS can make the festive season feel like more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re tempted to just stay home and sit the celebrations out, this episode is for you. We’ve got 12 tips to make sure your social life isn’t a casualty of MS. Plus, you’re gonna wanna share this episode with the party people in your life, because we’ve got tips for what your friends and family can do to make sure you can all enjoy the holidays together.

One third of people with MS keep their diagnosis classified. Of those, one in ten hide their MS from family members and romantic partners. We chat with Juan Garrido, a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ and MS communities about the parallels between homophobia and ableism and how ultimately being accepted for who you are starts with accepting and loving yourself.

Newer, highly effective medications mean that MS outcomes are improving and that there's a lot to be hopeful about. This episode isn't meant to scare you, but to clarify what it means to die due to complications from MS, so that you can minimize your risk factors and live your best possible life.

Did too much red wine and a book of spells give me MS? Almost certainly not. But that didn't stop me from worrying about every questionable decision I'd ever made that (I thought) might have caused my MS. Today's episode of the Tripping On Air podcast is a cheeky look at fact and way-off fiction as Alex and I dig into 10 of the biggest myths about MS.

From cool canes, to sporty trekking poles, to rollators that are literally transformative, mobility aids make life better…eventually. The transition to progressive MS is hard, and freaking out is a reasonable reaction. Grieve. And when you’re ready, tune in to this month’s episode for tips on how to find the right mobility aids that will work for you.

There’s no vacation from MS. If you have any chronic condition, your illness is coming with you. Whether you’re packing fatigue, meds, or mobility aids, Ardra and Alex share hot tips on how to stay cool and make the most of your next getaway.

We are ringing in the New Year with one of my dream guests. Comedian, actor, writer, and the internet’s most optimistic guy, Zach Anner is on the pod to talk about everything from why you’re already awesome to how we’re all a little annoying, at least some of the time. Zach spills the tea on accessibility in Hollywood and what it was like working for Oprah’s network.

If you have MS or any chronic illness, you deserve presents! This year's Tripping On Air Holiday Gift Guide features 12 gift ideas and 13 incredible giveaways, that are perfect for people with MS. Tripping on Air is a monthly video podcast that brings Ardra Shephard's part-confessional, part-informational blog Tripping on Air to the podcast airwaves! Ardra and co-host Alex Hajjar discuss what it's like to live with MS, from the best products for those with chronic illness, to successfully navigating a disability benefits claim. Ardra Shephard is a writer, consultant, and speaker, whose award-winning blog Tripping On Air, enjoys an international reach and reputation. Ardra is the creator and host of AMI-tv's lifestyle series Fashion Dis. Ardra has a regular column with BezzyMS (Ask Ardra Anything), and is a reporter with LivedHealth where she leads informative and educational conversations with leading MS specialists. Ardra is on a mission to change minds about what it means to live with chronic illness and to have disability positively reflected as part of a diverse society. Accessible bars in Toronto would also be nice. Follow Ardra on Twitter: @tripping_onair and Instagram: @ms_trippingonair Alex Hajjar is the host, producer, and creative overthinker behind Social Animals, a podcast about friendship. A civil engineering technologist by trade, Alex is also a punk-rock bass guitarist whose hobbies include world travel, hanging with his cat Nacho, and figuring out how to find chill about his beautiful wife Nicole's MS diagnosis. The Tripping on Air podcast airs monthly on AMI-audio. For more information, visit www.ami.ca/Tripping-On-Air.