Suzanne Wesley
Special to the Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
More than 60 countries celebrated the third annual World MS Day on May 25. With more than 2 million people worldwide reported to be suffering from some form of MS (multiple sclerosis) participants in this year’s event desired to expand awareness about this disease. Additionally, as part of this year’s World MS Day theme of “Work and MS” participants are specifically working to promote education of employers on what they can do to keep valuable employees on the job.
Because most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 — with the average age of diagnosis being 30 — employment is often a major issue in their lives. By the time of diagnosis, many employees are well trained, vested in their career goals, and have many years before any plans for retirement. An additional factor is that MS is a highly unpredictable neurological condition and its effects vary widely between individuals. One person’s experience with the disease does not predict what the next person will experience.
Symptoms of MS can include difficulties such as: numbness and altered sensations, impaired balance, fatigue (especially in warm temperatures), poor coordination, vision impairment, slurred speech, tremors, pain and problems with memory and concentration. Additionally perplexing for both employer and employee is that, especially early in the disease, symptoms of MS can fluctuate. Those diagnosed with MS, and who have had recent symptoms, may go months or years without experiencing further disabling symptoms that anyone in the workplace would notice.
Employers may falsely believe that employing someone with MS will be costly and might damage their business. In reality, many people with MS do not need special arrangements, and if they do these may cost very little or nothing at all. Employers are encouraged to keep communication open with any employee diagnosed with MS. Many will need only minimal assistance adjusting to keep working even when new symptoms occur.
Adjustments could include inexpensive climate control, such as a simple box fan, to prevent heat-triggered symptoms, or a different desk location to combat minor mobility issues. When possible, considering a future option of enabling this employee to work partially or fully from a home office may be of value. In any case, after initial diagnosis, it is quite likely that it could be several years before this employee’s MS even becomes a factor in the workplace. With a little education the employee can remain a viable part of the workforce for years to come.
Contrary to what is often portrayed on television dramas, most people with MS do not become severely physically disabled. Two-thirds of people living with MS remain able to walk, though many may need an aid, such as a stick or crutches, and it may be years before the disease progresses to this level, especially if the individual regularly takes medications known to slow down the progression of MS.
Both employers and employees in Indiana can use resources available from the National MS Society to better educate them on what their responsibilities are and to enable better communication. According to Amanda Shelley, public relations/ marketing manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Indiana State Chapter, “the Society’s website www.nationalmssociety.org contains a great deal of information as to what types of reasonable accommodations can be expected from an employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This information is also available through our Information and Referral Center at 1-800-FIGHT-MS for those who do not have Internet access.”
“The Indiana State Chapter has conducted a teleconference series with topics including educating clients (people with MS) about their rights within the ADA, allowing them to speak in an educated manner with their employers. And annually the National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Indiana State Chapter recognizes a company as the “Employer of the Year” for the strides they have taken in making accommodations for employees with multiple sclerosis,” Shelley said.
For more information visit the World MS Day web site at www.worldmsday.org or contact the National MS Society.
Suzanne Wesley is a freelance writer and graphic artist from Terre Haute. She is a wife, a mother of two, an active member in her church and community and also suffers from MS.
