The MSing Link: The Essential Guide to Improve Walking, Strength & Balance for People with Multiple Sclerosis

I was diagnosed with the disease in 1992, when there were no disease modifying therapies or suggestions for maintaining your quality of life. The MSing Link is the ultimate reminder that being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) doesn’t have to mean your life is over or that you have no control over your disease. Huge! Every chapter gives you information and strategies to work through everything from initial diagnosis to maintaining and improving your body right now. I research everything about my disease to stay on top of research, and changing protocols, but The MSing Link covers it all. It is an easy, hopeful read, that outlines resources, demonstrates exercises and provides guidance for every stage of the illness. I think the strongest part of the book is way Dr. Gretchen wrote each chapter so they build on each other which makes referring back so easy. It is a book the newly diagnosed, a book for long time MSers, and an amazing book for caretakers and families. As I read it, my overwhelming thought was that I wished I had this resource when I was first diagnosed. It would have calmed my fears and taught me practical and effective coping methods. Everyone’s MS is different and no one can predict exactly what yours will be like, but Dr. Gretchen’s ‘s book provides hope. She makes neuroplasticity understandable, teaches how functional movement and exercise, despite challenges, can improve symptoms. Her resources provide information to navigate through new symptoms, how and when to use assistive devices, how to track your progress so you can share and ask your neurologist direct, specific questions. Chapter by chapter you get valuable information that you can practice at home, which makes it accessible for everyone. She has built a supportive, accessible community to ask questions and hear from others facing the same issues. I was totally surprised at much I learned so I now have a valuable resource to refer back at any time. The MSing Link gives easy to understand information about what happens with MS—what kinds of symptoms it can cause, how it can affect your life, as well as and strategies to use to feel and function fully and safely. It provides many tools to deal with the long-term unpredictability of the disease. Her advice has given me ways to deal with spasticity, improve balance, so I can improve my walking and build endurance. I now have goals and ways to notice improvement, so instead of always losing something, I am getting something back. Truly a gift!

Before learning about Dr. Gretchen I tried regular PT and was very frustrated and disappointed. I thought PT was supposed to help me but I didn't feel any different and my mobility just kept getting worse. When I found out about Dr. Gretchen and the MSing Link I was skeptical but kept learning. I remember the first short video I watched with Dr. Gretchen and I just remember sitting there just crying while absorbing all of the information, enthusiasm and just sheer hope she gave me. This book is a game changer and Dr. Gretchen is the first person that has given me any hope since my MS diagnosis. The pictures are awesome and make it so easy. I love how she breaks everything down into functional pieces so you actually know why you're doing this exercise and how to do it correctly. My favorite thing is that throughout the whole thing she encourages you and tells you not to give up, even if some days don't go the way you'd like with your exercise. The biggest takeaway which anyone with MS desperately needs is: THERE IS HOPE! Already, in a short time, I have gone from almost 100% wheelchair use, to walking nearly every day for short spurts with crutches/walker and now I can even walk a little with just holding someone's hand. I walked behind and pushed my wheelchair on the beach this weekend all the way to the water! I can't wait to do more exercises and keep getting stronger and more balance. Thank you, thank you, thank you Dr. Gretchen. You have changed my life!

This is a fantastic read that outlines the benefits of not only exercising with MS but concrete examples and explanations of why functional exercise is key to gaining and maintaining functionality in our bodies. Every chapter contains clear, functional advice and explanations. The e-book has links to click to resources for a particular chapter that sends the reader to a podcast from Dr. Gretchen's desk that goes into the topic in a deeper way, allowing one to explore each topic further. I would recommend this book to anyone who is walking the MS path. In addition, seek out Dr. Gretchen on social media and in various MS organizations and learn from her in free webinars on various PT related topics.My eyes aren't so great since my optic neuritis so I bought the e-book and the regular book. I love how Dr. Gretchen's kind voice and sparkly personality shines through on every page. We (the MS community) are so lucky to have folks like Dr. Gretchen to work alongside us on our journies. Dr. Gretchen is a goldmine of information that is presented in an easy to understand and follow way wherever you find her, she is an amazing voice of hope and strength to help us deal with this unpredictable disease.