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What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is understood to be a progressive disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by a decline of muscle control, apparent muscle weakness.
What are the affects of M.S.?
There is no typical MS. The effects are individual so that one general description and one definite prognosis are not possible.
However, there are some symptoms which can be seen as common. These can occur in varying combinations to many people with MS:
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Balance or co-ordination loss
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Walking is difficult
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Numb sensations in the hands, arms, legs – pins & needles
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Fatigue – extreme at times
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Tremor
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Vision blurring or distortion
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Difficulty in controlling the bowel and bladder
When does M.S. occur?
There appears to be a common age of onset between the ages of 20 and 40. Because of this, many students with MS are likely to be adjusting to having the disease at the time they are involved in study. A person with MS may appear well, but in reality be coping with exhaustion and other debilitating symptoms.
How can Aoraki Polytechnic best support a student?
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Have a rest area where the student can take a quiet break when it is needed, in a lazy boy chair if possible where access is easy.
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Provide foot or arm rests when necessary.
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Provide a writer/note taker in class.
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Provide a reader/writer for assessments.
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Offer a research assistant for assignments.
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Negotiate extensions on assignments for a student when necessary because the condition has exacerbated. Hospitalisation may occur.
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The unpredictable nature of M.S. may interfere with day to day work that involves deadlines.
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Support is available through MS Society Field Worker.
How can we best support a staff member?
Have a realistic job description and working hours. The staff member may not be able to perform some tasks that were previously no trouble.
The unpredictable nature of MS may interfere with work that requires deadlines and new strategies may be needed to reach these.
Be aware that there may be an onset of episodes of debilitation. Do not make the staff member feel guilty because they have to take time out.
Equipment, such as telephone with headphones and microphone may assist performance. Other equipment may also assist performance and retention and can be recommended by an Occupational Therapist of a Physiotherapist.
Remember the individual nature of the condition and that the affect may be different at different times.
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