According to the MS Society of Canada, one in 340 people suffers from Multiple Sclerosis.
So if you do the math, it’s probable that 15 people in Princeton and area are living with the disease.
Those are the people, along with their families, that the society hopes to attract to an outreach session at Princeton General Hospital.
It can be difficult to manage a serious illness in a remote location, said Elaine Tilton, Community Services Coordinator for the MS Society.
“That’s what these outreach visits are all about, getting out there and raising awareness that we have systems that can be of assistance.”
There are only five MS clinics in BC, and the closest is in Kelowna.
“Really we are highlighting services that are available at a national level,” she said. “For instance we have a peer support program, and a volunteer legal advocacy program, and then there’s the MS Knowledge Network which is a huge network…that provides consistent quality information and support.”
The society also runs an equipment provision program that can assist patients with finding subsidies and purchasing mobility aids.
The session is December 14 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the hospital’s education room, and people are asked to register by December 12 by calling 1-800-268-7582.
Cheryl Daniels, an RN specializing in MS, will be hosting the event.
“We are just trying to get the word out,” said Tilton. “You do your best to connect with people and when you can actually talk to someone it can bring it to different level of understanding.”