March 3, 2025
By Shelby Perez
Editor
Since March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, it is an appropriate time to learn about this chronic illness affecting about 2.9 million people worldwide and 1 million people in the United States. Learning about MS, which affects the central nervous system, disrupting the flow of information between the brain and the body, is crucial because it makes those impacted feel more supported and dispels misconceptions.
MS can appear at any age but most commonly manifests between the ages of 20 and 40. Affecting women two to three times as often as men, factors like obesity, inflammation and vitamin D deficiency can lead someone to get MS. Nobody is born with MS, but one is at higher risk of getting it if a family member has it.
Being patient and understanding can help support loved ones with MS.
I didn’t know about MS until it affected my own family. During the start of COVID-19, my mother was experiencing some numbness, spasms and tingling. After many medical tests and MRIs, she was diagnosed with MS in December 2020. She started getting an infusion twice a year after her symptoms progressed in 2021, and hospitals were less risky for COVID-19 outbreaks. The immunosuppressant used to treat her symptoms is Ocrevus, and thankfully, this treatment has slowed the progression of her MS.
Nonetheless, my mom sometimes struggles to connect her thoughts to words. Sometimes, she also has brain fog and a delay from her mind to her body. At night, she has difficulty falling asleep and moves way more frequently than she ever had before developing MS.
FACT BOX CREATED ON CANVA BY SHELBY PEREZ Information in this fact box is from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Being patient and understanding can help support loved ones with MS. MS can cause cognitive and physical fatigue, making it challenging to keep up with daily tasks. Therefore, offering to help with chores or errands and providing emotional support by being a good listener can make a significant difference.
The illness progresses with stress. Therefore, one challenge I face is that I sometimes withhold conversations to keep my mom from worrying. Instead of stressing my mom out, I like to talk about my feelings with my best friend, and other times, I relax by practicing my instrument or singing.
Gaining knowledge about MS has helped me develop a better understanding of what my mother goes through daily. Conversations with my mom and the information I have learned through research have helped me greatly. Especially during Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, I believe it is essential to support those with MS to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected.
