Has the MS Society helped you?

Everyday living
1

A bit of a random one.
Other than this forum and the telephone helpline, has anyone benefited from membership of the MS Society or received any direct support or assistance?

2

The MS Society run weekly swimming and dance/exercise classes in our area. I’ve been to both and very much enjoyed them.

3

hi, ive had help in the form of grants from local MS group
bouddsx

1 Like
4

An interesting question.

At first, I thought “not much”. Then I thought some more.

First of all, as someone who is struggling to walk these days, I find the notion of fundraising through running events somewhat offensive! Is it just me? Surely something other than walking / running / cycling could be used for fundraising potential.

Apart from that:

  • MS Society was my first website used to research MS when first diagnosed.
  • Conversely, apart from some pamphlets initially, I find the MS Trust of limited practical use.
  • MS Society has many local groups. Mine does coffee mornings, lunches plus a weekly seated yoga class.
  • MS Society fronts the Tissue Bank. It’s now in my will to donate my brain - after I’ve finished with it! Everyone with MS should register as there are discoveries that can be made from scanning & dissecting / testing a brain that are not possible when the patient is alive.
  • The thread states “apart from the forum” when in fact, this forum is the largest UK-based online meeting place.
  • I don’t donate to the MS Society regularly but have left a substantial bequest in my will. Personal choice to do it that way.

Graeme

1 Like
5

We have a local MS society here in Huddersfield, they do coffee morning’s, lunches and shopping trips, all of which sadly I’m not interested in, at one point I did suggest some wheelchair/scooter and for those that still could walks , but they said it wouldn’t interest other’s, when they hadn’t even asked, I was never a shopper, hard to believe me being a woman LOL, they used to do a chair exercise class which I would have been interested in, but sadly since covid it hasn’t started up again, so no my local society haven’t done anything for me. But I agree that this forum is a great place and this has.
Jean

2 Likes
6

P.S. like Graeme I’ve left money in my will, I think there will be others who have too

1 Like
7

Besides what the MS Group do, it’s worth looking at what other related groups are up to in your area.

I go to the Rugby Sport for the Disabled Association’s swimming session most Tuesday’s. Exclusive access to the 2nd pool, with hoist, helpers as well as lifeguards. They do another session on Sunday’s which includes swimming plus archery, table tennis and some other things besides. Yet to try that one…

8

So GCCK that all sounds great and I’d love most of those things, but sadly in Huddersfield and surrounding areas we don’t have all that, also I did used to swim at my local sports centre, really great facilities in our local 1, but sadly it knocked me sideways and couldn’t cope with all the hassle of getting undressed and dressed again, even with my hubby’s help it lasted for day’s after, so I gave up, did I give up too soon…
Jean

9

Interesting, although I think this forum, the helpline and website are accessible to all, without membership, and presumably you don’t need membership to donate your brain/spinal cord for research.

10

It’s a competitive world out there and plenty of competing ailments clamouring for research funding, influencing policy-makers, improvements in care, lobbying for more specialist doctors, more specialist nurses, more public awareness and willingness to donate… MS is not a sexy ailment. Not many people have it, and we do not get better. We’re not photogenic. MS would sink below the public radar without tireless advocacy. The list is endless and it’s all important work. Plus all the good info. Not bad for a fiver.