This Women’s Health Week in Australia, some of the most pressing health and wellbeing issues impacting women are being discussed nationwide.
For MS Australia, the leading organisation in the fight against MS, it serves as a powerful reminder to shine a spotlight on the experiences of women living with multiple sclerosis (MS), an often-debilitating autoimmune condition that manifests in a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms.
With over 33,000 Australians diagnosed with MS, the disease disproportionately affects women – approximately three times more than men. And given that MS is often diagnosed in young adulthood, it can dramatically impact a woman’s life, career, and relationships. This significant gender disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted support and increased awareness to better support women living with MS.
For over 50 years, MS Australia has played a vital role in funding ground-breaking MS research – including research that explores and identifies research priorities for women living with MS.
Dr Julia Morahan is Head of Research at MS Australia and shares insights regarding the importance of early diagnosis of MS.
"Early diagnosis and effective health management can significantly impact the trajectory of MS, offering hope and ensuring better longer-term outcomes and quality of life. For women living with MS, the first step towards empowerment is knowledge."
Dr Julia Morahan
“Early diagnosis and effective health management can significantly impact the trajectory of MS, offering hope and ensuring better longer-term outcomes and quality of life. For women living with MS, the first step towards empowerment is knowledge.”
Ebony Moffat, Communications Officer for MS Australia is passionate about sharing her experience as someone living with MS.
“I was diagnosed and treated within six months of the first signs of MS,” she explains.
ebony moffat
"Although my relapses have eased, they never truly go away. I was a very active runner and gym-goer before my diagnosis, but my second relapse affected my ability to walk and crushed my confidence and trust in my body’s abilities. My diagnosis has taught me that I am the expert of my body. Seeking help from medical professionals, an exercise physiologist and engaging with supportive communities like Shift.MS has been crucial in navigating this path."
For Ebony, finding a supportive healthcare team, and using resources like MS Plus Connect to manage symptoms effectively has been critical. To women who have been recently diagnosed with MS, Ebony provides the following advice: “When seeking support from a specialist or GP, it’s important to feel heard. You are the expert of your own body, so find a team that is willing to listen to you and address your concerns.”
Lilian Law, who was diagnosed with MS at 21, is a final year law student at the Australian National University. She is about to commence work in corporate law in New York and recalls the initial shock and uncertainty of her diagnosis.
“I recall sitting in hospital, in the stroke ward, with doctors that couldn’t understand why I had presented to the emergency room with sudden onset blindness. It wasn’t until a neurologist told my father and I several possible causes, including MS, that the reality set in. My father was in tears over the prospect of his daughter having MS.”
From that point on, Lilian says that education became her most powerful tool.
“Education has empowered me to become my own advocate, whether at work, among friends, or in medical settings. During the difficult diagnosis process, I found the MS Australia website, where I was immediately empowered with resources to understand my condition and care for myself.”
lilian law
Lilian’s experience highlights the critical role of education and proactive health management. By integrating regular physical activities and powerlifting into her routine, she has managed to maintain a sense of control and empowerment despite her diagnosis.
In the 12 months since her diagnosis, Lilian has lived in Australia and the USA and experienced two contrasting healthcare systems. To manage the new challenges, Lilian says she has had to find tools that empower her to become her own best advocate.
“I’ve learnt the importance of having conviction about my lived experience, and I am now more confident in clearly describing my episodes and symptoms, especially when meeting with medical practitioners.”
Sharlene Brown, an MS Australia Board Director, has lived with MS for 22 years. While advocating for women to always listen to their bodies and prioritise self-care, she also spends time encouraging the broader community to support MS research and advocate for improved healthcare services for women with MS.
"To women living with MS, my advice is to ask questions, listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and recognise that rest is an active path toward healing.
Our strength and empowerment come not just from overcoming challenges but from how we navigate them.”
sharlene brown
Women’s Health Week is more than just a time to raise awareness; it is an opportunity for collective action and empathy. Understanding the daily realities faced by women with MS can foster a more supportive environment and drive meaningful change. And as Australia continues to focus on women’s health, MS Australia is committed to continuously supporting and amplifying the voices of people living with MS.
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