MS is an auto immune disease that affects the central nervous system. It is the most common chronic neurological disease amongst young adults with the onset of symptoms occurring most often between the ages of 20 and 40. It is more than twice as prevalent amongst women and more common among Caucasians, especially those of northern European ancestry. An estimated 2,500,000 people in the world have the disease. Approximately 20,000 sufferers are Australian with confirmed diagnosis growing at an alarming rate of 7% per annum. MS is neither contagious nor fatal but it is a progressive disease for which there is currently no cure.
In people with MS (PwMS), myelin, the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres, is attacked by the body’s own immune system. This damages the nerve fibres themselves and thus causes the transmission of messages from the brain, through the spinal cord, to effectively “short circuit”. The damage manifests itself in a variety of different symptoms, such as problems with vision, coordination, energy levels and altered sensation in the limbs.
The course of the disease varies greatly from person to person but, as all PwMS will agree, it is the disease’s constant unpredictability that causes them the most distress in their ability to cope with everyday events and people in their lives. It is this significant impact to PwMS’ quality of life that has motivated Katrina and Elizabeth to undertake this challenging walk. It is also a significant burden on society as people are often struck down in the prime of their working lives, cruelly lessening their contribution despite their motivation and willingness to be an active member of the workforce.
Here are some useful links to MS related sites.
Foundation 5 Million (F5m)
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA)
MS Australia
World MS Day
Kiss Goodbye To MS
