Some people show remarkable resilience to adversity – survivors of natural disasters and sufferers of cruel and insidious illnesses, for example. Included among that group must be the estimated 20,000 people in Australia living with Multiple Sclerosis (‘MS’).
However, a visit to the Armidale MS Support Group may mistakenly leave you thinking that MS is not such a bad thing after all. The room is filled with laughter and smiles on happy faces. There is warmth in the room and it is clear that this small group of people are all firm friends who clearly care deeply about each other.
Group Coordinator Ruth Jackson, a cuddly grandmother with a wicked sense of humour, makes it clear that self pity must be left at the door. Not that members need reminding of that rule, as Ruth clearly invokes a sense of fun in all members of the group.
It’s clear that the philosophy of the MS Support Group is that “laughter is the best medicine”, Group member Wendy Berkley said.
“It’s a very supportive group and, while we recognise that individuals often feel particularly wretched, there is no need to dwell on this because we each understand that aspect all too well.”
Many people with MS look perfectly ‘normal’ and show none of the signs of their daily suffering. Their symptoms may include things which are largely ‘invisible’, like extreme fatigue (especially during hot weather), incontinence, numbness, muscle weakness, cognitive problems, visual disturbances and balance and coordination difficulties.
MS is a progressive disease where the protective myelin covering of the nerve fibres in the central nervous system is damaged. Inflammation and ultimate loss of myelin causes disruption to nerve transmission which can affect many functions of the body.
MS is a young person’s disease, with most people being diagnosed in their twenties and thirties. Three times as many women as men are diagnosed and the gap is widening.
While there is no cure for MS, there is some exciting research underway and some recent breakthroughs have occurred. Medication can alter the path of the disease and provide relief from symptoms.
The Armidale MS Support Group welcomes new members. They meet every two months at the Armidale City Bowling Club who have been very generous in offering the Duval Room for the group’s meetings. The MS Christmas lunch will be held immediately following the Wednesday, December 14 meeting which commences at 11.00am. All people with MS, their carers and friends are welcome to attend both the meeting and/or the Christmas lunch. It promises to be lots of fun!
For further details or to RSVP for the meeting or lunch, please contact Ruth Jackson on ruthjack@virginbroadband.com.au or (02) 6778 4097.
