MS Society
I started looking for Canadian MS programs, support, and relevant information a few months ago, and just one organization came up: the MS Society of Canada. So, I reached out to the organization first by phone, and they ushered me to their website. When I went to the website, I saw a lot of information on research news, how to get involved, and general information on the disease, but I wanted a more personal contact to speak to so I emailed my “local chapter”. What I received was an email that consisted of more web links and generic open invite ZOOM meetings. The more people I have spoken to over the last few months, the more I have realized that I have yet to find someone who has had a positive experience with the MS Society of Canada.
The information they provided on diet, as an example, is a list of a few different types of diets with a few paragraphs about each, including information about the Paleo diet which included “Recently, two celebrities diagnosed with MS have publicized their use of the Paleo diet and benefits derived from prescribing to it”.Despite this, there is no detailed information about how diet can assist you improve your day-to-day living or resources to contact for more information on any of these diet recommendations.
When it comes to exercise and activity, there is information and suggestions for what you can be doing and how it may help, but they are simple overviews of different exercise routines rather than thorough information specific for MS. Again, there are no resources or professionals to reach out to for help in improving your overall health.
When it comes to the MS Society of Canada, my fundamental question is whether the $50 million in annual funding and donations is enough to help individuals. The majority of the funding they receive from the government, along with donations, goes to research which is important but there isn’t enough money getting into the hands of people with MS, or programs in place addressing the everyday concerns, or support for the families. They do provide blog information, but who reads blogs about MS…am I right!?
My hope is that they could spend more money on those who may face financial difficulties because they are unable to work due to their disease, or for individuals who need to make home improvements to accommodate their lack of mobility, or perhaps linking people to government funding opportunities to cover medication(s).
I plan to become more involved as time goes on in hopes to be proven wrong about this organization, but the MS Society of Canada thus far has disappointed me.
Jesse