On May 30, as every year since 2009, we commemorate World Multiple Sclerosis Day. To support the organizations advocating for this cause, the Unit for the Care of Persons with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs at the URJC is sharing this message and encouraging university students and faculty members to do the same.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, meaning it affects the brain and the spinal cord. It is a chronic condition caused by lesions in the myelin, a fatty substance that protects and surrounds nerve cells. It disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to the progressive deterioration and damage of the nerves over time.
This disease typically affects individuals between 20 and 40 years of age, the majority of whom are women. Symptoms vary depending on the extent of the nerve damage and are so diverse that this disorder is often referred to as the disease of a thousand faces. The most common symptoms include muscle weakness, visual disturbances, sensations of itching or numbness, as well as memory and coordination difficulties.
The cause of this condition remains unknown, and while it can be managed, there is currently no cure. The establishment of this international day was spearheaded by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) to raise social awareness and foster solutions toward its eradication. The most effective collaboration consists of raising awareness and assisting acquaintances who live with this condition in their social inclusion, as they frequently face isolation.
