Multiple sclerosis
Three charities that can offer information and support
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune disease of the central nervous system which often starts in young adulthood. Symptoms are variable, including fatigue, muscle weakness or contractions, or vision problems in one eye. Your GP is the first point of call, and he or she can arrange for further tests.
People with the disease usually need a multidisciplinary approach to their care, with several professionals. Most regions have at least one centre specialised in MS, often located within a hospital.
An officially endorsed information website on this condition is available here.
You can also obtain information about this disease and practical and financial help available for those living with it at your local maison départementale des personnes handicapées (disabled people’s help centre). Social workers (assistant social) can also help.
One of the main charities involved in multiple sclerosis (sclérose en plaques – SEP – in French) is the Ligue française contre la sclérose en plaques. If you visit ligue-sclerose.fr and click on Notre réseau (our network), it would be worth checking out the correspondants and associations membres to see if there is one local to you.
The former are regional coordinators helping MS sufferers, who can give a range of advice. The latter are local groups around France. Click on the relevant phrase for a map of these.
The Ligue contre la sclérose en plaques can also be contacted on 01 53 98 98 80 or info@lfsep.fr.
Another helpful port of call would be the Association française des sclérosés en plaques (afsep.fr), which has many local volunteer groups for sufferers.
Visit the website and click on the map for local contacts (not every department has one).
A third charity, Association des Paralysés de France (APF), also gives information on the disease, including organising regular Écoles de la SEP around France. These are events for people who have been recently diagnosed, to better understand how to live with the condition.
One organiser said that such meetings can offer support and companionship and can help with maintaining health and fitness. People can benefit from sharing their experiences and discussing new therapies.
Another initiative is meet-ups for information sharing about MS in certain large cities, called La Maison de la SEP.