A study by the MS Society has revealed those fighting the condition are 12 times more likely to be isolated
Those with MS are twelve times more likely to feel isolated than the general population.
Mumford and Sons bassist Ted Dwane and Rachel Reeves MP – co-chair of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness – have thrown their weight behind a new MS Society campaign, designed to highlight the impact of social isolation on people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The charity has released research today (3 December) - International Day of Persons with Disabilities – which shows as many as three in five people with multiple sclerosis (60%) feel lonely because of their condition.
The findings led the MS Society, together with Dwane, to create The MS Connection: a new photography exhibition that tells the stories behind that statistic.
Launching the exhibition, the musician spoke for the first time about his own experience of MS. His mother, Sarah, was diagnosed with the condition after a decade living in Singapore, where her symptoms went unrecognised.
He said: “Mum was diagnosed around the time I started touring, and my sister moved to Australia. It was a period of huge change for my parents and we weren’t there for them in the way we wanted to be. I’m still away a lot, but back then it was especially hard because my parents were just coming to terms with the diagnosis.
“Having the right support can change everything, and ultimately both my sister and I made a conscious decision to move back closer to home. A lot of people with MS simply don’t have that network, and can end up feeling totally left out of society.”
Reeves said: “Loneliness is a serious issue that pervades every section of society, but those living with chronic conditions and disabilities like MS are among those most at risk. Government, charities and the community must work in partnership – because it’s not just changes in policy, but widespread changes in attitude and communication that are desperately needed.”
Ed Holloway, MS Society director of services and support, said: “Anybody can be lonely, but we know from our research that loneliness is an issue which disproportionately affects people living with MS.
“The MS Society offers a whole host of support, including a free helpline, information and grants.”
