What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition affecting 2.8 million people worldwide, with approximatley 10,000 of these in Ireland, 300 cases each year. It attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with muscle movement, balance and vision, MS Ireland Research. 

Each nerve fibre in the brain and spinal cord is surrounded by a layer of protein called myelin, which protects the nerve and helps electrical signals from the brain travel to the rest of the body. 

This disrupts the transfer of these nerve signals, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, such as:

• Loss of vision – usually only in one eye
• Muscle & Spasm – muscle stiffness that can lead to uncontrolled muscle movements
• Ataxia – difficulties with balance and co-ordination
• Fatigue – feeling very tired during the day

People with this type of MS will have periods of time where symptoms are mild or disappear altogether. This is called remission and can last for days, weeks or sometimes months.

Remission will be followed by a sudden flare-up of symptoms, known as a relapse. Relapses can last from a few weeks to few months. Usually after around 10 years, about half of people with relapsing remitting MS will go on to develop secondary progressive MS. Symptoms gradually worsen and there are fewer or no periods of remission.

The least common form of MS is primary progressive MS. In this type, symptoms gradually get worse over time and there are no periods of remission, MS Society Ireland Information. 

LEARNING SKILLS & DEVELOPMENT

Symptoms of MS usually first develop between the ages of 15 and 45, with the average age of diagnosis being about 30. 

Young people are expected to study in a fairly fast-paced environment, which can have many distractions. The symptoms of MS can make this particularly difficult. Some people with MS find it hard to recall facts quickly, or to change concentration from one thing to another. Other symptoms, such as fatigue or problems with vision, can equally affect learning.

Many young adults diagnosed with MS continue to go to school. If MS affects a student to a point where the current situation no longer works for them, adjustments may be needed.

Learning Tips and Strategies

• Allow the student to adjust their timetable to help to avoid fatigue in the afternoon
• Flexible deadlines for assignments
• Use a laptop or tape recorder if handwriting is difficult

There may be times when a young person needs to take time off because of their MS. School/college can help ensure this does not cause the young person to get behind by keeping the student up to date with the learning programme in their absence. It may also be necessary for there to be a gradual return to full-time study.

Secondary Education Level:

Special Educational Needs - Resource teacher hours are allocated to post-primary schools for the support of individual students who have been assessed as having special educational needs. Details of supports available at 2nd level are available NCSE Education Guides/ MS Ireland Living with MS.

Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE) The Race scheme aims to assist students who are at a disadvantage due to a disability, by facilitating access to the state certificate examinations.  Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE)

There are levels and resources of support within learning in FET Further Education & Training courses, Reasonable Accomodations in FET 2022. 

Supports available

Third Level Education:

MS Multiple Sclerosis is one of the Neurological Conditions covered under the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) system. Research findings from AHEAD released in 2022 show that, of the total disabled student population (18,097) at Third Level 2021/22 represented in the research Neurological/Speech and Language (n=1,195), AHEAD- Students with Disabilities engaged with Higher services 2022.

Applicants complete the CAO application by 17.15pm on 1st February. CAO opens for applications on 5th November at 12.00 noon, CAO DARE Information.

You don’t have to be eligible for DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) to get support in college. All students with a verified disability, regardless of whether they come through DARE or not, can avail of a variety of academic, personal and social supports while studying at third level. Further information on the support available in college can be found at www.accesscollege.ie

Many colleges and universities also offer classes online, which allows greater flexibility. Students no longer have to worry about commuting to campus or navigating crowded stairs and hallways; class begins in front of your computer. For those who want to enjoy campus life, taking some classes on campus and some online might work, DARE MS Multiple Sclerosis screening criteria.

Common Educational Supports - a range of common educational supports are in place at Third Level for students with disabilities. These include:

• Priority registration
• Reader service
• Use of audio-tape to record lectures and tutorials
• Assistive technology
• Materials in alternative formats
• Word-processing facilities
• Photocopying Facilities 
• Copies of lecturer's notes and/or overheads 
• Notetaker
• Time extension on out-of-lecture assignments
• Special Library Arrangements
• Counselling and Medical Services
• Study skills courses
• Examination provisions 

These and other supports available are outlined in detail in our 'Third Level Supports' area.

There are many different types of Assitive Technology to support you in your learning, AHEAD Assistive Tech Hive.

In the Workplace

Many organisations now make public claims to be an "equal opportunities employer". This suggests the existence of an equal opportunities policy (EOP), which is a policy statement adopted by the organisation declaring an intent not to discriminate and, further, to promote equality by taking steps to aid disadvantaged groups.  Such employers are in effect promising to avoid discrimination on grounds of sex or marital status, and may also make such a commitment in relation to people with a disability and racial and ethnic minorities, WRC Workplace Relations Commission.

NDA National Disability Authority Accessbility, communications, procurement guide, NDA Toolkit. 

Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant (WEAG)

If you are a person with a disability who has been offered employment or are in employment, and require a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment to do your job, you or your employer may be able to get a grant towards the costs of adapting premises or equipment, Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant (WEAG).

Having MS does not mean that you cannot work. More than one in three people with MS are still employed after having the condition for 20 years.

MS is a lifelong condition – symptoms vary and fluctuate unpredictably at first. It is important to learn what life is like for you with MS, how to manage symptoms, and how much they affect you.

• Symptoms may take years to appear – it may be a while before they actually impact your daily life
• Treatment may help you stay in control – disease-modifying drugs may slow disease progression if started early
• You have options – your employer may make accommodations to make your work life more manageable. As well as worpkplace adaptation, workers with MS might also request adjusted working hours, working from home, reserved parking, leave for treatment (paid or unpaid).

MS Ireland Working with MS

To Disclose or Not to Disclose?

If you are feeling fine and your MS symptoms have not created any limitations for you at work, then you may choose not to disclose your condition. As your disease progresses, you may want to tell your supervisors and coworkers, especially if you require accommodations to be  made at work, AHEAD A Guide to Disclosure, 2023. 

Career Choice

Skills for workplace success fall into two main categories: hard skills and and soft skills. Hard skills are job-specific and they vary, depending upon the industry or field in which you want to work. For example, a graphic artist must have the computer skills that go with that job.

Soft skills are the personal characteristics that go with a variety of jobs - they include social skills, problem solving, communication, time management, and organisation. For example, a person who prefers to work alone might find a research job particularly appealing, Explore Career Skills in more detail.

Symptoms such as fatigue and mild cognitive deficits are not uncommon with MS and may influence particular career choices. A heavy or stressful workload could also exacerbate symptoms. However, if you are the right person in the right job, the focus should be on your skills and abilities.

Focus on your strengths and abilities and look at career options based on these, Explore Personal Interests in more detail.

Famous People with MS

Jack Osbourne, son of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne was diagnosed with MS in 2012. Christina Applegate Acctress, Musician Art Alexakis, Talk show host Montel WIlliams, Nascar Racer Trevor Bayne, Music Producer Noah Shebib.