Relationships and MS with Nikoma and Simone Bell

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome married couple Nikoma and Simone Bell as our guests! They are the authors of Marriage & MS: Embracing Life and Love Beyond the Diagnosis.

Questions and Timestamps

01:41 Nikoma and Simone’s introductions

03:09 Marriage and MS tips

05:52 Support for Black men with MS

08:37 Common issues among care partners

10:27 Talking to young children about MS

12:15 Maintaining intimacy in relationships with MS

13:12 Dealing with feeling like a burden

14:37 Defeating the odds and staying together despite MS

17:30 Communicating about invisible symptoms

Nikoma and Simone’s bio:

Nikoma and Simone Bell are the husband-and-wife duo behind “Marriage & MS”.

Through their book, Marriage & MS: Embracing Life and Love Beyond the Diagnosis, social media presence and coaching, they provide real, honest conversations about navigating relationships, caregiving, and intimacy while living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Nikoma, a former touring sound engineer, was diagnosed with MS in 2018. As a Black man with MS, he is passionate about creating spaces especially for Black men to connect and find support.

Simone is a qualified coach and trainee counsellor who works with caregivers and partners of those with a chronic illness, helping them navigate the emotional and practical challenges of caregiving while maintaining strong, healthy relationships.

Together, they are dedicated to showing that love, resilience, and connection can thrive beyond diagnosis.

Their work includes authoring Marriage & MS: Embracing Life and Love Beyond the Diagnosis, coaching programs, and community initiatives aimed at supporting couples and caregivers facing chronic illness.
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Overcoming MS is a positive lifestyle program that aims to help people live long, healthy lives without the usual problems associated with multiple sclerosis.

Find us on:
Web: www.overcomingms.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OvercomingMS
Instagram: www.instagram.com/OvercomingMS/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/OvercomingMS