MS awareness events are an opportunity to build understanding

We’ve all heard comments from people who aren’t educated about multiple sclerosis (MS). Some that I’ve heard include “My friend had that and is fine now,” “Eating better will fix you,” and “Try a parasite cleanse.” I have to chuckle at these statements. 

With March not far away, National MS Education and Awareness Month is just around the corner for those in the United States. Here in the United Kingdom, we have MS Awareness Week on April 22-28. On May 30, we come together for World MS Day.

All these things can be powerful tools to aid us in furthering people’s knowledge of MS. So what should people learn?

Recommended Reading

March 16, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS

‘A Campbell Never Quits’ podcast coming in March for MS awareness

First, I think more people in general should work on understanding what MS is. You don’t completely heal from it just by eating right. People don’t just get better, and it definitely isn’t a parasite. Our immune system is mistakenly attacking our central nervous system.

Second, no two people with the condition are the same. We’re all different, which is why MS has been nicknamed the snowflake disease.

Third, every day is different. You can wake up feeling OK and ready to take on the world and then fatigue will kick in and your body has had enough for the day.

Last, and most important for me, we didn’t ask for this. We don’t want to have to cancel a chance to see a friend. We’d like to come to that party. If we could get out and do things, we absolutely would.

We can foster education by being as open as we can about what MS does to us, how it makes us feel, and how we are forced to adapt to significant changes, not just in our bodies but also in our lives.

I’ve mentioned how the MS community on social media helps to bring MS into focus, which is a massive opportunity to help those who may have never had any connection to the disease see and understand the day-to-day struggles it causes.

It’d be fantastic to see more about multiple sclerosis on the news and in the press. Reporters could interview MS warriors and let those with firsthand experience explain it. A textbook is excellent, but nothing beats experience.

Anytime MS is spoken about openly is an opportunity I want to make the most of. I know how I felt back in February 2022, when my general practitioner told me to expect the diagnosis. I left his office in tears because fear had kicked in. And that was mainly because I lacked knowledge about the disease. I hope that by talking about MS, we can help people understand more about it and hopefully support someone who is newly diagnosed.

Orange is the color used to symbolize multiple sclerosis, so during each of these upcoming events, I’ll be living in orange, doing whatever I can to shine a light on what life with MS is like.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.