Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week runs from the 24th to the 30th of April 2023. This year, the MS Society has joined with 6 other charities to increase awareness of the event, and the accompanying #MSMakesMe campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to encourage those living with MS to speak out about their experiences and emphasise how different it can be for people who have it.
Multiple sclerosis is a condition which affects the brain and spinal cord. It has a wide range of symptoms which can arise as a result of it, such as fatigue, vision problems, problems with arm or leg movements, or disrupted balance. Since it is most commonly diagnosed in people between 20 and 50, it is one of the most common causes of disability in young adults. While there is no cure, multiple treatments exist which can control the condition and ease symptoms, allowing those with MS to have a life expectancy similar to the average.
Historically, MS was considered to be significantly more common among people with European ancestry. However, recent research among Black British and African American individuals has found that the prevalence of MS within these groups is greater than previously thought. As a result, people from certain minority ethnic communities may believe themselves to be at a lesser risk of acquiring the condition than they really are. As a result, it is vital to spread the word about living with MS, in order to remove preconceptions and stigma from the condition.
This year’s MS awareness week has allowed those living with the condition to express their feelings about it. Whether it acts as a constant burden or has proven individuals to be stronger than they ever could have imagined, letting their voices be heard is important to help humanise the condition, while cannot stop those it affects from living a normal and fulfilling life.