ELLIE'S BLOG on Living Well with MS

Today 65 countries across the globe are celebrating the second World MS day.  The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) and it's MS society's established last year that the last Wednesday of May every year would be World MS day.

The reason for this is to increase the awareness worldwide of the number one disabler of young people MS. As the average age of which MS is diagnosed is 29 the economic impact of this disease is great.  Total cost varies widely across countries but are substantial in all countries.  The average annual cost per person with MS in 2OO7 was $41,334.  Over a lifetime in high income countries like ours the U.S would be $1.2 million per person. Loss of employment or early retirement is considered the single largest cost factor contributing to this financial cost.  To read more and the Summary report of the Global Economic Impact of MS go to:

http://www.msif.org/en/get_involved/world_ms_day_2010/economic_impact.html

  And for more information on employment and the results of the latest survey click on the link below:   http://www.msif.org/en/get_involved/world_ms_day_2010/survey_results.html

To understand the in-depth commitment and goals of the MSIF and the MS society's a reading of the "Principles to Promote the Quality of Life of People with Multiple Sclerosis" would be a beginning.  This document starts with the Forward by J K Rowling the author of the Harry Potter books. In the Forward she explains her mother's difficulties with MS and the effect that it had on the family.                                                                      Her quote,"Quality of life is something we must all fight for in every country around the world, and to fight we need tools that are appropriate to battle ahead."To read the document go to the link below:

http://www.msif.org/en/resources/msif_resources/msif_publications/quality_of_life_principles/principles_to_promote_the_quality_of_life/index.html

This indeed is what is being promoted by the MSIF and its MS Societies around the world.  In the United States the MS society has worked hard to encourage Congress to have an MS Caucus in both the House of Representatives and Senate.  These caucus's are where our legislators can gain information about the impacts legislation can have on people with MS or other disability's.

Representative Michael Burgess of Texas (Co-Chair) of the congressional MS Caucus speaks to his colleagues about MS In the USA and marking World MS Day 2010.

For more information on World MS day and Multiple Sclerosis go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society web page::     http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/events/world-ms-day/index.aspx

                                                                                                                                                                          ellie