Latest news with #MoveforMS
Khaleej Times
03-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: From eyesight loss to career in healthcare; how these multiple sclerosis patients defy odds
Salma Said had never heard of multiple sclerosis (MS) when she experienced her first attack on her 20th birthday on April 30, 2021. Hit with persistent headaches and blurred vision, she had no idea they were symptoms of a lifelong neurological condition. 'I was misdiagnosed with sinus inflammation and was only consulting ophthalmologists and ENT specialists,' recalled the 23-year-old Abu Dhabi resident. 'However, my condition worsened, and I eventually lost vision in my right eye.' At that point, she decided to visit a neurologist and after a series of blood tests, an MRI, and a lumbar puncture, the results confirmed that she had multiple sclerosis. Across the UAE, organisations have been working to drive change, particularly during Global MS Awareness Month in March. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) launched the second edition of its 'Move for MS' initiative last month, coinciding with Ramadan to encourage community engagement in physical activity while supporting those affected by MS. A key highlight was the 'Community Step Challenge', a nationwide movement where participants track their steps using the STEPPI app, aiming for 10,000 steps per day. This year's challenge has already seen 262 million steps logged, covering 153,000km — equivalent to three trips around the Earth. 'Walking and movement are powerful tools for managing MS,' said Iman Dia Eddin, who took part in NMSS challenges. 'For me, it was more than just a physical activity; it was a way to regain confidence in my body and my ability to move freely.' She credited her participation in Move for MS as a transformative experience. 'It was not just about exercise — it was about connection and support. Meeting a community of people who share similar challenges made me realise that I am not alone.' Navigating MS in the workplace Two years after her initial diagnosis, Salma experienced her second MS attack. 'It started with numbness and weakness in my legs, progressing to muscle spasms and reduced strength in my lower back and pelvic floor. This attack also significantly affected my balance and increased my sensitivity to heat, making everyday activities more physically demanding.' 'Since my first MS attack was quite severe and remained untreated for almost a month before I received a cortisone injection, the recovery process took a long time. It took nearly a year for my vision to improve,' said the healthcare IT specialist from Egypt. While her eyesight has significantly recovered, 'it is not the same as before due to nerve damage". Additionally, fatigue tends to worsen her symptoms, bringing back blurred vision and eye strain, making daily tasks more challenging. 'It was an incredibly challenging time. My diagnosis came during the last days of Ramadan, when many doctors were on vacation, and I was also in the final semester of university.' The lack of prior awareness about MS made it even more overwhelming. 'When my doctor first mentioned the condition, I had no idea what it meant, and it took me nearly a year to fully understand what was happening to my body.' Despite the difficulties, she said her journey with MS taught her resilience and adaptability. 'And I am now committed to raising awareness and supporting others facing similar challenges.' After graduating, Salma said she did not start working immediately. 'I needed time to rest and focus on my health. I embarked on a personal journey of meditation and self-discovery, which helped me adapt to my new reality. Unfortunately, finding work has been challenging, not because of my skills or qualifications but due to a general lack of awareness about MS in the workplace.' She admitted that she often chooses not to disclose her condition to employers. 'I don't want to be perceived as weak or incapable. I take pride in being a hardworking individual, and I want my work to speak for itself rather than being judged based on my health condition. I truly hope for more awareness and inclusivity in the professional world, so individuals with MS and other chronic conditions can work without fear of bias or discrimination.' Currently, Salma works in healthcare, managing systems for clinics. However, she hopes to transition into teaching. 'I love teaching and want to focus on taking courses to start teaching computer science and AI either in schools or education centres.' Power of movement While dealing with MS, she said she found that walking and movement play a crucial role in symptom management. 'They help maintain muscle strength, improve balance, and reduce fatigue. Personally, incorporating a routine of gentle exercise like walking has not only boosted my physical mobility but also improved my overall mood and mental wellbeing. It's an accessible way to manage symptoms, making it easier to maintain independence and quality of life,' she concluded. Similarly, Iman Dia Eddin, who was diagnosed with MS right after finishing high school in 2017, said movement plays a crucial role in symptom management. 'That period was incredibly challenging, not only because of the symptoms but also because I had very little knowledge about the disease,' said the 25-year-old Syrian pharmacist and MS awareness advocate. 'At first, I felt anxious and uncertain about the future, but over time, with my family's support, I learned how to adapt and accept MS as part of my journey.' Despite struggles with fatigue and difficulty concentrating, she remained determined to pursue her ambitions, enrolling in pharmacy school and successfully graduating. 'Today, I work in the field I love, proving to myself that MS will never be a barrier to my dreams.' Spreading awareness Maral Alexandrian, Acting Executive Director of NMSS, stressed the power of collective action. 'Move for MS demonstrates how collective efforts through partnerships, awareness, and participation can drive change,' she said. 'Together, we can create an informed and supportive society that raises awareness about the condition.' Beyond the campaign, NMSS continues to strengthen support for the MS community through research, treatment guidelines, and dedicated resources like the UAE's first MS helpline. With MS prevalence rising in the Middle East, affecting 19 in every 100,000 people in the UAE, initiatives like 'Move for MS' play a vital role in fostering awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering those living with the condition.
Campaign ME
28-03-2025
- Health
- Campaign ME
NMSS' Move for MS campaign uses Snap AR to shed light on multiple sclerosis
In line with MS Awareness Month, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) in collaboration with Snap, has launched its Move for MS campaign, which includes an interactive step challenge powered by the Snap Camera. Coupled with the launch of Snap's step counter augmented reality (AR) experience in the region, the initiative encourages people across the UAE to learn important facts about multiple sclerosis (MS), and explore how they can get involved and support the MS community by taking part in a competitive walking challenge. The Lens encourages Snapchatters to complete a step challenge, unlocking key facts about MS at each milestone around symptoms, its prevalence in the UAE, and the importance of early diagnosis. To enhance participation, the Lens also links back to a leaderboard feature, which highlights users who complete the highest number of steps, introducing an element of friendly competition. More than just education, the campaign sets out to build a conversation around multiple sclerosis, encouraging Snapchatters to share with friends and family to expand their reach and make a real difference. Maral Alexandrian, Acting Executive Director at NMSS, said, 'True impact is never achieved alone, it takes collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to change. At NMSS, we recognise that awareness is a crucial first step, we are excited to partner with platforms like Snapchat that allow us to reach a younger, digitally connected audience in engaging and immersive ways.' 'By combining our mission with their technology, we aim to raise awareness about MS, foster empathy, and inspire action. This partnership exemplifies how innovation and purpose can unite to drive social change, ensuring that more people understand MS and feel motivated to support those affected by it,' Alexandrian said. Multiple sclerosis awareness Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable condition of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and spinal cord. The exact cause of MS remains unknown, and symptoms vary widely from person to person, making early diagnosis and awareness essential. With the prevalence of MS rising in the Middle East, the UAE has transitioned into a moderately high-risk zone, underscoring the increased need for awareness and education. As part of the NMSS Move for MS campaign – an initiative designed to inspire movement as a way to raise awareness for MS – this collaboration leveraged Snapchat's reach in the region, where users visit the platform an average of 45 times per day, ensuring enhanced awareness to a highly connected audience. Hussein Freijeh, Vice President of Snap Inc. in MENA, said, 'We believe technology has the power to drive positive change, and we are proud to partner with NMSS to raise awareness for such an important cause.' 'Snapchat is a place where people come to share moments with those they care about most and now, we're extending that sense of closeness to include the causes they care about too. By using AR in an interactive and engaging way, we're not just educating the community about MS; we're empowering them to take action. This partnership reinforces our commitment to leveraging innovation for meaningful impact, and we look forward to driving positive change, one step at a time,' Freijeh added. Snap's Step Counter Lens operates without GPS tracking, offering a private, movement-based experience. Combining Snap's latest Leaderboard feature, the Lens will allow Snapchatters to enhance their journey and share their progress, spreading more awareness in the process. The initiative is powered by Snap's AR technology, which has evolved since it first arrived on the platform, transitioning from fun, playful lenses to a powerful tool that creates real impact. Now, more than 80 per cent of Snap's users in the UAE interact with AR Lenses daily, and the platform has indicated that it is on a mission to further use the technology to drive positive social impact.
