Abu Dhabi: Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be a potentially disabling disease, but the resilience and positivity of patients living with the condition in the UAE is inspiring.
Ahead of MS World Day, which has been marked annually on the last Wednesday of May since 2009, Maha Abbas, 30, a Dubai-based marketing executive from Bahrain, who lives with the condition, is championing the courage of thousands, children as well as adults, who live with MS.
“Thousands of children around the world live with chronic, disabling disease. Surely as an adult, I can make the changes needed to live with MS, even if it means not eating red meat and dairy,” Abbas told Gulf News.
There are currently about 2.3 people with MS around the world. In the Gulf, the prevalence of the disease is known to be increasing, and studies have shown that about 54 people out of every 100,000 in Dubai are afflicted. Researchers hypothesise that the rapidly urbanising lifestyles, the high rate of Vitamin D deficiency and the higher incidence of consanguineous marriages may be contributing to increasing MS prevalence in the region, but have not reached any conclusions.
While there is still low awareness about the condition and its implications in the UAE, initiatives by a number of organisations are paving the way for a better understanding of the condition, and more inclusive support for those living with it.
For instance, since 2015, Abbas has been organising awareness sessions under the banner of MS Talks.
“When I was first diagnosed in 2010, I got depressed because I didn’t know what to do or how to manage my condition. I didn’t feel protected, and had to visit support groups in the UK to learn about MS. So when I had a better grasp of the disease, I felt I should do something to provide similar support to other MS patients,” said Abbas.
The group met earlier this month to share their stories and discuss their challenges and achievements.
Ahmad Al Maskari, an Emirati with MS, also participated in a recent MS awareness session organised by philanthropic organisation, the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation.
“I may have a disease, but I fail to let it stress me out. I first learnt that I had MS in 2007. Since then, I’ve decided to cut the anger and worry out of my life. I greet every day with joy, and simply focus on growing and being a good father to my two-year-old. And this is the message I hoped to convey during the awareness initiative, and it would be my advice to everyone living with MS,” he said.
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What is multiple sclerosis?
MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibres. In turn, this causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. In some cases, the disease can eventually cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged.
