When Dr. Nancy Rosales returned to the Triad in mid-2024 to expand access to multiple sclerosis (MS) care, she quickly noticed something her patients needed just as much as medical treatment: community.
Many were looking for a place to connect, share experiences and learn from one another.
With the help of one of her patients, Brenda Solis, that vision became reality. In February 2025, Solis and a few other patients began the MS support group, meeting the last Friday of every month either in person or virtually. Solis is the volunteer organizer.
“We are trying to grow this group, and we want other MS patients to know they are not alone,” Solis said. “Meetings often feature guests who speak to topics relevant to MS such as nutrition and exercise, or from other professionals living with MS who share their experiences.”
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One recent guest speaker was retired nurse Ladona Dare Brinson, who was diagnosed with MS in the 1990s. Brinson has spent the last 15 years traveling across the country to share a simple but powerful message: “You can control your life.”
Another inspiring voice comes from Brandy Westmoreland of Pfafftown, also a patient of Rosales’. Westmoreland began practicing yoga shortly after her MS diagnosis in 2006 and quickly discovered how transformative it could be. Experiencing improvements in her own strength and pain management, she became a registered yoga teacher to share gentle and accessible practices with others – especially those living with MS.
Westmoreland, whose teaching philosophy centers on accessibility, recently shared chair yoga exercises with several other support group participants.
“Yoga is for everyone. And there are so many avenues to take through yoga so that everyone can be accommodated,” she said. “I don’t know if I would be here if it weren’t for the yoga because of the pain.”
Solis encourages MS patients interested in joining the support group to contact her at yogabybrendasolis@gmail.com. She hopes the group will offer others a sense of connection, empowerment and hope as they navigate life with a chronic condition.
About multiple sclerosis
MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that damages the protective covering of nerve fibers. Symptoms may include vision problems, numbness, muscle weakness, balance challenges and issues with coordination. Yoga and other gentle movement practices have been shown to help some patients manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
