To the editor,

May 30 marks World MS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects nearly 1 million people in the United States and an estimated 2.9 million people worldwide.

I was diagnosed with MS in 2022. Like many people living with this disease, I’ve learned that MS is often misunderstood because many symptoms are invisible. One day, a person with MS may appear perfectly fine, and the next day they may struggle with fatigue, numbness, pain, balance issues, vision problems, or weakness. MS affects every person differently, making it difficult for others to fully understand what living with it is really like.

This year’s World MS Day campaign theme is “My MS Diagnosis: Navigating MS Together.” The campaign focuses on the importance of earlier and more accurate diagnosis while also highlighting the emotional and physical journey many people experience before finally receiving answers.

Advances in diagnosing MS mean people can now be diagnosed earlier than ever before. However, many people still face delays, misdiagnosis, or years of uncertainty before receiving answers. According to the MS International Federation, barriers to early diagnosis exist in 83% of countries worldwide. Every five minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS.

Earlier diagnosis matters because treatment can help slow progression and improve quality of life. But awareness matters just as much. We need communities that understand that chronic illnesses are not always visible and that support, flexibility, and compassion can make a tremendous difference.

This World MS Day, I encourage our community to learn more about MS, support those living with invisible illnesses, and remember that kindness and understanding matter more than we realize.

Jessica Hanson

Elmwood