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Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

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Of the 12.7% of United States citizens who have established disability status, 5.3% are experiencing a physical disability. Physical disabilities can affect a person’s quality of life in multiple ways. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurological condition that has physical debilitating symptoms and affects 400,000 people in the US and 2.5 million worldwide. While MS can be diagnosed across a large age span and in a variety of races, it’s predominantly seen in Caucasians and on average diagnosed at age 32. MS has a variety of disease types, symptoms difference between early and late onset, treatment options, and a wide array of community support systems and foundation.
There are four main types of MS, but by far the most common is …show more content…
Symptoms include, but are not limited to, decrease in visual acuity, intense fatigue, muscle weakness and spasticity, hyperreflexia, and loss of balance. (Jarvis, 2015, p. 685). Optic neuritis and diplopia are two common visual abnormal conditions found in MS patients. Both result in a decrease of visual acuity, and vary in range from minimal to severe. Diplopia in MS is caused by cranial nerve six palsy, which affects the lateral rectus muscle of the eye. The eye drifts toward the nose, causing double …show more content…
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is an organization that provides resources on personal wellness, mobility, financial assistance, and social/emotional support to individuals with MS, as well as their family members. The Colorado-Wyoming Chapter’s headquarters is located in Downtown Denver. The organization provides a sense of community to people with MS by connecting people with MS and their family members. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society also does a great deal of fundraising. The organization hosts walks, bike rides, and runs to raise awareness about MS. Another great local resource is the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center. The center provides an Adult Day Enrichment Program, which allows people with MS to engage socially. They also provide classes which enable individuals to maximize personal functioning, independence, and overall wellness. Classes include gardening, Tai Chi, stress management, cooking, and hydrotherapy. There is a RN on-site who provides medical supervision and assistance with ADL’s. This particular center accepts Medicaid and VA reimbursement

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