“My Month with MS:” Challenge accepted

Throughout the month of May (Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month), I’ll be taking the "My Month with MS" Challenge.

I accepted the challenge 1) because I’m almost always up for a challenge, and 2) because after recently learning that a friend of a friend was diagnosed (he’s just 28), I’ve become aware of just how common MS is. In fact, every day in Canada, three people are diagnosed with MS, and Canada actually has one of the highest rates of MS in the world.

To kick off the month, I received a box which included several items I’ll be using through May to simulate the experiences of a person living with MS (check out the contents in the picture below). Every few days I’ll receive an email with instructions on mini challenges and tasks I’ll need to complete. I’m told that some of these tasks will require the use of a corresponding item included in my kit. Some seem pretty self-explanatory, like the cane and eye patch. But I’m not sure how I’ll be using the pin cushion and box of push pins.

While this challenge isn’t exactly what a person with MS goes through (for starters, MS is lifelong, while my challenge lasts just 31 days), the idea is that it’ll generate awareness about just some of the challenges of living with MS.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has also launched the "1 Day in May" program to raise awareness. You can find out more at 1DayinMay.ca.

Follow me on Twitter @msmelissagreer as I tweet about my experience throughout the month!

Related:
‘ Multiple Sclerosis
‘ New hope for multiple sclerosis patients
‘ 5 ways Canadian health care is improving