The Israel Multiple Sclerosis Socitey

Every month, there are young people that hear: "You have MS." For the past 47 years, whenever a MS patient has needed help, the Israel Multiple Sclerosis Society has been there, providing support, professional help, and hope. The Society: The Israel Multiple Sclerosis Society has been active since 1976 – and currently has 6,700 patients and 30,000 family members registered. Data about the MS patients registered with the Society: ★ 35% patients were born in the former Soviet republics ★ 15% Arabic speakers ★ 8% belong to the ultra-Orthodox sector ★ 4% young people aged 14-18 ★ 1.5% children aged 6-14 ★ 2% minorities ★ Of three MS patients - two are women Isolation of people living with MS There is often little awareness of MS in Israel, and there are no clear systems for dealing with the disease because of its unpredictability. As a result, people living with or affected by MS do not get the support they need. The social welfare system does not provide enough for more than the basics and the other support systems are often provided by the Israel MS Society. With the recent cuts in government funding for all patient organizations the challenges for people with MS are only getting worse. Beyond the challenge of receiving effective treatment this has a major effect on the quality of life of people affected by MS, including economic and social isolation. It is particularly difficult for people with more severe MS. This double penalty means that because people cannot afford the support, they need it becomes very difficult to engage or contribute to their community. This in turn reduces awareness, support, and social networks even further, many people living with MS in Israel are confined to their homes. Their world is often shrunk to little more than a few rooms, the constant awareness of their disease and the frustrations causes depression and despair. With few opportunities to find an escape, the activities that the society offers, even temporarily, can offer freedom and a sense of hope that we all need to feel human. Our Mission and Activities The Society’s goal is to enable patients to lead a life that is as normal and full as possible, to improve their quality of life and to encourage them to continue to function as members of their family and community and contribute to society despite the many difficulties posed by the disease. The patients receive the finest medical treatment from the medical centers, but the Society is there at the patients' side, cares for them and escorts them step by step in their daily challenges and struggles with government ministries, municipalities, uncertainty, fears, unemployment, boredom, frustration, the difficult financial situation that only adds to the already difficult health situation. The Society provides its members with professional aid, paramedical treatments and therapies, support, activities, psychological and emotional support and social interaction – for many, this is their only contact with the outside world. The Society publishes newsletter and other forms of information and a website. The society provides response to needs, not met by government and local agencies. The Israel Multiple Sclerosis Society is there at any given moment, alongside the patients and their families, providing various types of help.