For many in our community, Christmas is a time for enjoying the comforts of togetherness. But for people faced with a recent multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, the festive season can trigger feelings of isolation and vulnerability.
Learning you have a lifelong disease like MS can feel like the road ahead has suddenly grown dark and uncertain. During this time, an MS nurse can be the guiding star a person desperately needs. MS nurses are trained specialists, providing expert advice, reassurance, and hope when it matters most.
But right now, one in three Australians with MS have no access to an MS nurse. That means thousands of people are missing out on the personalised support and compassionate care that only an MS nurse can provide.
This Christmas, you can light the way. Your gift will help create the change needed for a future where no Australian has to face MS alone.
From uncertainty to understanding
Connie's Story
“The years of uncertainty almost broke me… It was the validation and reassurance of an MS nurse who profoundly impacted my mental health.”
For more than a decade, Connie lived with unexplained pain, fatigue, and frightening neurological symptoms. Even after taking a year off school to get answers about her condition, she continually faced misdiagnosis and dismissal. “I didn’t know what the future held,” she recalls. “I just wanted someone to listen and tell me what was happening.”
When tests finally revealed it was likely to be MS, Connie faced a six-month wait to see a specialist who could confirm her diagnosis. The wait was agonising. That’s when Connie first reached out to an MS nurse through the Plus Connect line.
“I wasn’t expecting much,” she admits. “But they were amazing. They validated my symptoms, explained why I might be experiencing them, and gave me practical advice to cope while I waited.”
For the first time in years, Connie felt heard, understood and less afraid. After her diagnosis, Connie continued to receive advice from her nurses, helping her to understand her treatment options and provide strategies for managing relapses.
Today, Connie is thriving. She recently commenced a Doctor of Philosophy, investigating the diagnostic experiences of individuals with MS. Connie hopes her research will improve the diagnostic journey for others, but she knows the compassionate presence of MS nurses is already transforming lives.
“I want more people to have that same support. I want them to know you are not alone.”
Connie found her guiding star. But one in three Australians with MS still don’t have access to an MS nurse. You can help change that. Donate today.
Your Christmas gift means we can push for change, allowing more Australians with MS and their families to access life-changing MS nurse care.
$75
will help raise greater awareness around currently available MS nurse services, so people know there’s always someone they can turn to in difficult times.
$150
will help MS Plus continue to provide free nurse-led programs and support services to people with MS, their families and carers.
$500
will allow us to advocate for more MS nurse positions across Australia, reducing barriers to access such as location and mobility issues.
MS nurses: Turning treatment into trust
For many people, an MS diagnosis brings a flood of information, unfamiliar medical jargon, complex treatment options and specialist appointments that are often brief and few and far between.
This is where an MS nurse steps in.
As trained MS specialists, they are able to break down treatment options, explain the implications in simple and relatable terms, and ensure no question is left unanswered.
MS nurses offer connection, focusing on understanding each person’s unique symptoms and life circumstances. They listen without judgement, acknowledge emotions, and remind people that they are not alone.
As one MS nurse explained:
“I put myself in their shoes. If I was suddenly in a position where something could potentially change my life forever, I would be scared. I know I’d be grateful for meaningful support, so I’m happy to give that out to others. You give to the world and it gives it back to you.”
This Christmas, you can do something meaningful for someone diagnosed with MS. Your gift will help improve access to MS nurse care, so more Australians can access life-changing guidance and support.
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