Dancing through the pain barrier

OK, not MS, but a story of determination to overcome an obstacle to get on and live their lives. Just as we MSers need to do. Watch their new video 'Bent but Not Broken'. ADMINS: Sorry if this breaks group rules, please delete it.

MS patients being harmed by bureaucratic benefits system, say specialist nurses

MS specialist nurses have spoken out about the harm they see being done to patients trying to claim disability benefits. These include Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance. The nurses’ views came to light when the UK’s MS Society conducted a survey. This revealed that the nurses feel significant pressure to help their …

Changing “I can’t” to “I can” – determination is key

Determination is one of the best qualities to which we all can aspire. Whatever our disease, condition, or disability, we can all try to have more determination in our lives. It is that quality that changes “I can’t” to “I can”. It is about making every effort in life. Of course, I am not talking …

Bumbling, bungling government department proves it is useless

A government ministry responsible for disability benefits has just proved it really is unfit for purpose. This time, though, it is not the policymakers – this time it is the civil servants. Unbelievably, seven months after being informed that a disabled person had died, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) sent a doctor to …

Junior minister suggests world ‘realities’ mean government attacks on rights are likely to continue

Any cherished hope that the government could embrace the opportunity of doing something positive for disabled people seems misplaced. This came to light when a justice minister effectively dismissed calls for government action. That is, action to do more to protect the social and economic rights of disabled people and others. The hard truth was …

MS bodies look for NICE support for PPMS treatment

Leading MS organisations are seeking support to gain approval for ocrelizumab (Ocrevus) to treat all primary progressive MS (PPMS). It is already approved for use against early PPMS. Both of the UK’s MS Society and MS Trust are campaigning to get the medication approved for wider use by the country’s National Health Service (NHS). And …

Disability benefit review does not need sensationalist headlines

A newspaper editor once told his reporters: “Don’t worry about the facts, give me the sensation.” Sounds far-fetched, right? But, it’s true. I know as I was there, I was one of those reporters. That editor used headlines like “Women scream as ….” to sell newspapers. He was not so much a journalist as a …

Fatigue makes it difficult to push on

I love writing. No surprise there, it has after all been a major part of my life. But, today, it’s not so easy because I have been hit by a bout of fatigue. Fatigue is just one possible aspect of multiple sclerosis – but there are plenty of other causes too. And for anyone fortunate …

New Year resolutions: Do we want or need them?

New Year resolutions may have their place in some people’s lives but not in mine. That’s not to say that I never set targets, and set out to achieve them, but I cannot see anything special about January 1. Yes, it marks the start of a new calendar year – but, so what? If you …

Frankincense – a possible future treatment for MS, new research

One of the original Christmas presents may turn out to be a 21st century gift to people with multiple sclerosis. Most people, whatever their faith if any, will be familiar with the story of the Three Kings, or wise men. According to the story, they arrived in Bethlehem and gave the baby Jesus their offerings …