Walk for World MS Day

Members of the Multiple Sclerosis Society took to The City yesterday to spread the word on their condition in recognition of World MS Day.

It is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects areas like the brain and the spinal chord.

Many sufferers in wheelchairs made their rounds giving out literature to shoppers and also collecting donations.

The walk began at Independence Square and proceeded along Broad Street, Prince William Henry Street, Swan Street, High Street and back to Independence Square.

President Terry Hope said this year’s walk was attended by about 30 people.

She added that the MS sufferers still faced many problems and called for a more inclusive society.

“Some of our main concerns are still the roads and transportation. Some of the sidewalks aren’t wheelchair-accessible and we have to go into the road to get by. The buses still aren’t wheelchair-accessible and we have to hire the private buses, which can get very expensive,” she said.

Hope was also worried about the number of young people presenting with multiple sclerosis in recent times.

“We have seen people ranging in age from 25 to 35 coming to us. But our aim is to continue to offer support to them and all other members as much as we can,” she added. (DB)