"I was diagnosed over 7 years ago and my symptoms are limited to numbness in the soles of my hands and feet, sensitivity to cold and fatigue.
Due to the mildness of my symptoms, MS impacts my daily life other ways such as the decisions I make every day to support my wellness. The food I eat, the exercise I do, the amount of work I take on, the rest I get and the strategies I implement to combat stress and things that life throws at me.
I feel grateful and lucky that MS has created space for me to give more consideration to both my physical and emotional wellbeing. The emotional rollercoaster that is navigating a life changing diagnosis has both challenged and strengthened me equally. I have learnt a lot about my strengths, capabilities and of course limitations.
At first it was really hard to shift out of the negative “woe is me” mindset in to the “what can I do about this” mindset. It was very much a grieving process that presented much like it does when you lose someone close to you. Essentially, I was losing the me as I knew her. But I soon discovered the me that I can be even with an MS diagnosis. In the end I realised that the new me wasn’t that different to the old me – she just needed to accept what was happening to her and start to think about what was still in her scope of influence.
MS Auckland has supported me by giving me an opportunity to connect with others on similar journeys, share my experience in a positive way that supports and benefits others and in turn spurs optimism and hope for our journeys.
The collective support of MS Auckland makes me feel supported and validated even in the mildness of my MS. This disease is so different for everyone but the Society always makes it clear that regardless of your “status” they are there for you and others whatever level of support is needed."
"People should donate to MS Auckland as they give vital support elements that people with MS need throughout their MS journey – newly diagnosed through to long term warriors. Connection, voice, information, contribution, support, resources opportunities and most importantly – hope."
About Us
Your donation to MS Auckland will help ensure that people with Multiple Sclerosis receive the information, care and support they need when they are first diagnosed, and throughout their lives. You will also be supporting the development of unique programmes that help people with MS and their whanau. All donations are very much appreciated and we thank you in advance for considering supporting MS Auckland.
Over the past 55 years, since MS Auckland began, we have been supporting people with MS, and their whanau, friends, carers and employers. Through the individualised guidance of our Community Advisor service, support groups and connection programmes, information events and workshops, we have been able to pursue our mission of 'Connecting today, Inspiring tomorrow' and our vision of 'Living a full life'.
MS Auckland’s kaupapa is firstly that every person newly diagnosed with MS receives wrap-around support and information to enable them to understand and manage their condition well; and secondly that every person with MS and their whanau have all the support, guidance and advocacy they need for life-long management of thier MS.
We are developing a special newly-diagnosed service and are working closely with the hospital team to help ensure everyone can gain access to our community service and wrap around support. Our community care team receive on-going training to enable their outreach work to be of the highest standard. Our office team are on hand throughout the working week to manage queries received and to develop our workshops and programmes, many of which have already become an integral part of people’s management of Multiple Sclerosis.
