A day of informative talks, interactive stalls, and invaluable support awaited members of the multiple sclerosis (MS) community when they attended a free event in Ayrshire.
‘Living Well with MS Ayrshire and Arran’ took place at Riverside Lodge Hotel in Irvine last Friday, August 30.
Hosted by MS Society Scotland and the MS Society Ayrshire and Arran Group in partnership with the MS Society Scotland Council, the free event was aimed at people living with MS as well as family members, friends, and carers.
It was an opportunity to socialise, learn more about the condition and the support available to those affected by it, and find out about the latest MS research.
Guests browsed stalls and took part in taster sessions run by a variety of local and national organisations. Stall holders also circulated around the tables, chatting to people where they sat.
One popular stall was hosted by Kilmarnock-based Cortex Physiotherapy and featured a range of equipment people could try out, including items to improve balance and reduce pain.
MS Society Scotland provided information, leaflets, and resources relating to the work the charity does; and Social Security Scotland advised on benefits and other related topics.
Other organisations with stalls were Helping Hands Kilmarnock, which offers practical assistance to disabled people; Thistle Help, which specialises in mobility equipment and daily living aids; and representatives from three local authorities – East Ayrshire Council’s Community Health and Activity Team (CHAT), North Ayrshire Council’s Active Lifestyles Team, and South Ayrshire Young Carers’ Service.
Wellness Coach, Courtney Fisher, ran a ‘Mindfulness Moments’ session, and experts in their field gave talks.
Dr Rebecca Sherrard Smith, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at The University of Edinburgh, discussed whether Metformin (a drug used to treat diabetes) could help cells in the human body produce more myelin – the protective coating around nerves that becomes damaged as a result of MS.
A PhD student at the same university, Kellie Horan, spoke about her own research, which involves looking at nerves to find ways of slowing disability progression in MS.
The next talk was ‘Myth busting occupational therapy and MS’ by Dr Jenny Preston MBE, a Consultant Occupational Therapist at NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Based on a career spanning more than 40 years, Dr Preston explained what OT is and isn’t, and how it can benefit people living with MS.
Joanne Newall, Group Coordinator of the MS Society Ayrshire and Arran Group, said: “The event achieved everything we hoped it would and more.
"It was great to meet our service users, people within the local community, other service providers, and MS Society staff face-to-face. Some of the people there I’d only previously seen through a screen! It was also good to mix with other people who have MS and share stories.
“It felt like we were all in a wee, excited bubble, with people from different local groups mixing together and chatting.
"The talks were so informative. I was hooked and definitely learnt a few things. Feedback showed that even people who’ve had MS for a long time, and have been to events like this before, still found the day informative and got something from it, which was great to hear.
“I hope the Ayrshire and Arran coordinating group are able to keep that sense of community going long after the event.”
MS is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. This impacts how people move, think, and feel.
Keith Park, Interim Director of MS Society Scotland, said: “The Living Well with MS Ayrshire and Arran event went very well.
“More than 17,000 people live with MS in Scotland. We were pleased to be able to jointly host this event with the Ayrshire and Arran group.
“We’ve already had a lot of positive feedback from attendees, with the research talks in particular going down very well. I would like to thank everyone involved in organising and running the day.”
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