Have you recently had a loved one diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS)? Or do you know someone with multiple sclerosis or wonder what exactly multiple sclerosis is? Multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system disorder that is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. MS damages or destroys the protective covering, known as myelin, surrounding the nerves of the central nervous system and causes reduced communication between the brain and nerve pathways. This leads to a variety of health symptoms, including visual problems, overwhelming fatigue, difficulty with balance and coordination, and various levels of impaired mobility.
In addition, multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States, as well as those who love and care for them. There is currently no known cure and most people living with the disease had no prior recognizable risk factors. Therefore, in order to bring awareness and help to those impacted, advocacy groups and concerned organizations and individuals have helped designate the month of March as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. This annual event is dedicated to increasing public education, advancing research, and supporting those in need.
Be aware that during March, you might see orange ribbons with butterfly symbols. Orange is the official color of MS awareness, and the butterfly represents the shape commonly seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans of someone with MS. We would like to share with you a number of ways to show support of those with MS regardless of whether you are personally affected, including:
Participating in fundraising events.
Fundraising for MS research is not only critical, but it can also be fun. Look up Walk MS, Challenge Walk MS, and Bike MS, and search for exercise fundraising events near you.
Attending informational conferences and meetings.
MS-oriented conferences and meetings offer opportunities to learn and network with those who may be similarly impacted by the disease. Visit the NMSS Public Policy Conference website for more information, or the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) conference webpage.
Volunteering.
There is really no shortage of volunteer opportunities to serve the MS community. Get involved, get training, and find out where you can help in your local area.
Help in getting the word out about MS.
One of the easiest ways to participate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month is to help raise awareness online. Join a Facebook community, use social media hashtags like #ChangeALifeMSAA, or share a video series produced by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.
The support of loved ones, care partners, and participating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month organizations is vital to improving the quality of life for those living with MS. We recommend that you reach out to an experienced Alabama estate planning attorney if you or someone you know has any legal questions surrounding MS.