Multiple Sclerosis is very unpleasant condition. It is an auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing damage to the central nervous system.
The symptoms are varied: double vision, vision loss, eye pain, muscle weakness, loss of sensation and co-ordination. In most cases, it seems to be associated with Epstein-Barr Virus, a pathogen that also causes glandular fever, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and a variety of cancers.
There are currently around 1,500 people in Northants who have Multiple Sclerosis.
A local charity, The MS Society, exists to help sufferers of MS cope with their condition, but there are currently only five nurses, supported by five volunteers.
The charity have appealed for more volunteers to help with their work. Stella Cleary, who set up the support group in Rushden 15 years ago, said:
“We just want to reach out to as many people as possible”.
The charity relies upon volunteers and they are currently seeking new ones. Further, they need to run more events to raise funds to keep doing their valuable work.
“We’d like to put on more, but there just aren’t enough of us to do it.”
They meet as a Social Group, holding a coffee morning, fortnightly, on Thursdays in Rushden’s Waitrose café.
The MS Society is based at 80 Upper Kings Avenue, Rushden, or by phone on 07305 800987.