As World MS day approaches (30th May) we ask ourselves why have a World MS Day? The answer is simple it’s there to raise funds and awareness, for and of MS. Raising funds Raising funds is important as without funds, research can’t happen. Without research a cure will never be found and a cure is what people (like me) need and want. Charities There are many charities (MSSociety, MSTrust and ShiftMS are but a few) who rely on donations and fundraising, so that one day I will be able to say “I HAD MS” Every penny counts. As Tesco’s slogan says “Every penny counts”. It doesn’t have to be a JK Rowling £15 million (the best thing to come out of Harry Potter) or a single £, every penny counts. Be it jumping out of an airplane (with a parachute of course), abseiling down a bridge or a sponsored silence (I wish so many people would be quiet) it all means more research can take place and the closer to a cure we will get. Raising awareness. Everyone has heard of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) but to some (your mates next door neighbour’s ,cousin’s son) it’s totally manageable and you wouldn’t know they had it, there are those (like me )who use a wheelchair and struggle speaking. That’s the thing we are all different, we all have different experiences and all react differently to medications. Differences As I mentioned “we are all different” it depends where on your brain or spine the plaques develop and there is no template. There are a lot of fancy words to accurately describe what MS means and how it develops but there is no rhyme or reason to who it affects, why or how and the fancy words can be used to mask the truths (get me a tinfoil hat). Pity World MS day is not to gain pity. We don’t want your pity, what we hope for is your help and understanding, without both a cure will never be found. Understand MS and help to find a cure is all we ask. As The Proclaimers sang (if you can) “Walk 500 Miles” just make sure you get sponsored in aid of MS.