In late February, I was invited to speak at the annual general meeting of the South Dublin & East Wicklow Branch of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland. It was a long day, with an early flight up to Dublin, a lift from a friend to the meeting, and then a five-hour train ride home (as schedules didn’t allow for the faster, 45-minute flight). But it was such a rewarding day.
The annual meeting for these groups is time to report accounts, elect officers, and bring members of the organization up to speed on events of the previous year.
Along with outings, fundraising events, and educational events, I was astounded to learn that this small, local branch also made a sizable donation to the MS International Federation (MSIF) for research into progressive multiple sclerosis.
So Many People Volunteer on Behalf of Those With MS
Seeing committed, caring people — some who had only a distant, if any, relationship to multiple sclerosis — working to make the lives of those of us living with the disease better was truly inspiring.
On the long train ride home, I had time to think about all those around us who work and volunteer for our cause. So many people, from researchers to bake sale organizers, international celebrities to our quiet neighbors, are all doing what they can to make the bumpy road of living with MS a little smoother and a little more comfortable when the potholes cannot be filled.
Your local chapters (or in this case, branches) of MS societies can be a place to find others living with the disease, but they are also a hub of information and connection to research and services. Whatever your location in the world, look to these organizations as a first stop on the MS information train.
Other Options: MS Centers and Online Programs
For those of us living near enough, dedicated multiple sclerosis centers (sometimes called centers of excellence) also offer a wealth of information, services, and activities. From chair yoga classes to adaptive skiing, book clubs and music classes, MS centers are more than just the places where your doctors practice medicine.
If you live far from either MS centers or MS organization chapter activities, the number of online video programs has expanded since we all learned how to videoconference and Zoom call during the COVID-19 pandemic. And just as it takes a team to put on in-person events and activities, the number of people behind the scenes for these seemingly simple calls and videos is impressive.
MS-specific social media resources, online meetup groups, blog communities — all give us places to be heard and seen for the valuable people that we are.
Connecting Makes Us a Little Less Alone
For so many of us living with this very personal — often invisible — disease, we can feel alone more often than we might care to admit. When those waves of feeling adrift affect my own personal MS raft, it is a comfort to know that good people are all around us and are not only willing to help but are often already engaged in that help.
Even if it’s not MS-specific — and often because it’s not — the simple acts of kindness that are proffered to us help me to remember that we are not alone. There are good people all around the world and all around us and, more often than some might think, we are some of those people doing good work as well.
For all of them and for all of you, I am thankful.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers,
Trevis
