I have a family, a great career, I’ve travelled, and own a home. Don’t let anyone else’s perception of MS hold you back from living your life. You are capable of achieving your goals with MS, especially with the incredible treatments available today.
Don't live in denial or try to work against your condition. Accept you have it and work WITH it. Utilise EVERY resource available to get yourself through each day, week & month.
JamieWhat I wish I'd known is you know your body better than anyone else. If you notice changes and professionals aren’t taking you seriously, speak to someone else until you find someone who listens. This will impact how fast you may get a diagnosis and start treatment.
Don’t trust your doctor, get referred to a specialist for real tests and answers, or instead of results you will be told your symptoms are anxiety or menopause. All symptoms are preventable if caught early enough, but if your already have them they are there to stay.
First signs can be mistaken for other conditions so it pays to get checked early.
Jan
Get yourself a great support network! Having family and friends that understand really makes a difference ❤️
Adi
It took years to get answers for my mum. Now we understand her symptoms and struggles, we’re well equipped to assist her properly.
The experience
Learn about multiple sclerosis
and its symptoms.
- 1Learn moreWhat is MS, early symptoms and how they impact people in their everyday lives.
- 3Enter the drawParticipate on our wall and go into the draw for a $250 Prezzy card sponsored by Hail, and Sanitarium vouchers.
Messages of hope.
Leave a message of hope for someone living with MS, or share your own experience.
You can enter our prize draw at the same time, sponsored by Hail and Sanitarium.
I have a family, a great career, I’ve travelled, and own a home. Don’t let anyone else’s perception of MS hold you back from living your life. You are capable of achieving your goals with MS, especially with the incredible treatments available today.
Don't live in denial or try to work against your condition. Accept you have it and work WITH it. Utilise EVERY resource available to get yourself through each day, week & month.
JamieWhat I wish I'd known is you know your body better than anyone else. If you notice changes and professionals aren’t taking you seriously, speak to someone else until you find someone who listens. This will impact how fast you may get a diagnosis and start treatment.
Don’t trust your doctor, get referred to a specialist for real tests and answers, or instead of results you will be told your symptoms are anxiety or menopause. All symptoms are preventable if caught early enough, but if your already have them they are there to stay.
First signs can be mistaken for other conditions so it pays to get checked early.Jan
Get yourself a great support network! Having family and friends that understand really makes a difference ❤️Adi
It took years to get answers for my mum. Now we understand her symptoms and struggles, we’re well equipped to assist her properly.
I wish GPs were more aware and proactive about diagnosing MS
Know the symptoms certainly helps me understand how folks with MS have many challenges but seem to be able to smile. 😀
Don't let MS define who you are.Stacey
MS may be part of your life but it dosen't have to define your whole life.Fiona
A good friend, a supportive group, or someone who simply understands can remind you that you don’t have to face everything alone.Ethan
Hi my name is Trina McDonald my mother had multiple sclerosis I looked after when I was a teenager at 2010 I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis I was devastated but now with the good medication I am doing extremely wellTrina
When I was diagnosed, I quipped to the neurologist, "So it wasn't all in my head, then?" If you feel something is off - follow it up! My mantra since experiencing symptoms several years ago has been, "If I can, I will" and I will continue to do so as long as possible. With support, you can too.
AlinaGary lives with multiple sclerosis, yet the condition that could have closed doors has instead opened an entirely new chapter as a recognised thriller author.
GaryA hard diagnosis doesn’t mean you can’t do hard things! You can do it!
Sarah
When I was diagnosed with MS at 30, I worried it might change the future I’d imagined. Instead, it reminded me that life is for living and I’m determined to show my children that MS comes along for the ride, it doesn’t get to choose the destination.
Amber
MS gets on my nerves ... literally. But it hasn’t taken away my curiosity, my creativity or my sense of humour. Every person living with MS has a different story, and every one of those stories matters.
Claire
The best thing I did was surround myself with people who support me when things are hard, and encourage me to do the best I can because my best is enough.
JamieAbout the campaign
Time matters,
from day one.
What is MS
Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong neurological condition where the body’s own immune system attacks the nerve fibres in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
MS presents with a range of symptoms. To learn more about these and how they impact people’s lives watch the videos below.
Awareness Week
Every year MSNZ shines a light on MS during Awareness Week. This year we’re sharing real stories from people with MS describing their experiences with symptoms.
Average time to diagnosis
4.5
Years
That’s how long it takes to name what’s happening.
In Aotearoa, the average gap between a first MS symptom and a diagnosis is four and a half years.
What changes it
MS can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms vary from person to person. Recognising possible signs and seeking medical advice can help people reach a diagnosis sooner and protect brain health.
Learn the early signs ↓MS can look
different on everyone.
Some early signs are visible. Many are not. Symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily mean MS, but changes that are new and persistent are worth discussing with a health professional.
Vision changes
Changes in vision are often one of the first signs of MS.
People might notice things becoming blurry, double vision, or even pain when moving their eyes.
Some people also see colours fade, especially red.
Sensory changes
As MS affects the nerves that carry messages between the body and the brain, it can cause unexpected changes such as numbness, tingling, burning, pins and needles, or unusual sensitivity to touch, temperature, or pain.
These changes may come and go or last for longer periods, and they can appear anywhere in the body.
Balance & mobility
MS can affect how a person’s body moves.
They may feel less steady on their feet or notice that walking takes more effort. Stiffness, weakness or muscle spasms can also make it harder to stay balanced and mobile.
Every MS journey
starts differently.
This Awareness Week hear from real New Zealanders about their MS journeys.
Awareness Week,
right across Aotearoa.
Street appeals, webinars, bake sales lit-up landmarks and more. See what’s happening in Aotearoa this Awareness Week.
31 places are going orange.
If you see one, take a photo and tag MSNZ so we can share the support.
The Canopy BridgeWhangārei
Gum Tree, Forum NorthWhangārei
Cameron Street CanopyWhangārei
Clock TowerTe Aroha
Wharf Street Dining PrecinctTauranga
Tunks ReserveTauranga
Masonic ParkTauranga
Beacon WharfTauranga
Waterfront PlaygroundTauranga
The Waterfront, Park NorthTauranga
Nelson Airport SculptureNelson
One New Zealand StadiumChristchurch
Christchurch Art GalleryTe Puna o Waiwhetū
Bridge of RemembranceChristchurch
New Brighton PierChristchurch
Fanfare SculptureChristchurch
Robert Falcon Scott MemorialChristchurch
Vaka 'a HinaChristchurch
Botanic GardensChristchurch
Isaac Theatre RoyalChristchurch
Christchurch AirportChristchurch
Oamaru Opera HouseOamaru
Craig Memorial FountainOamaru
Forsyth Barr StadiumDunedin
Tūhura Otago MuseumDunedin
Speight's BreweryDunedin
University of Otago ClocktowerDunedin
Welcome to Cromwell SignCromwell
Invercargill CentralInvercargill
Feldwick GatesInvercargill
HWR Richardson Group TowerInvercargill
Fundraising
Bid in the
Awareness Week
auction.
Raising funds to support the work Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand does in providing national leadership and advocacy in MS awareness, education and care.
Bidding is open now. Closes 27 September
View the auction (opens in a new tab)
Stewart Island ferry for twofrom $150
Private superyacht charter, Aucklandfrom $7,580
Two nights at WQ Hotel, Wellingtonfrom $250
$850 Panasonic gift voucherfrom $500
Golfing getaway in Kaikōurafrom $795
HydroSense cooling & heating systemfrom $600
My Food Bag — five nights for fourfrom $120- Make a donationGive without bidding (opens in a new tab)
Bidding is run by GalaBid. Lots may change as more are donated.
Six conversations.
Real people,
real experiences.
Hear from people living with MS, medical professionals and researchers about diagnosis, treatment, family life, adventure and the latest research in Aotearoa.
Take action
Choose your
next move.
Whether you are learning for yourself, supporting someone you love or helping the campaign travel further, there is something useful you can do today.
Help the campaign travelHelp raise
Help raise
awareness.
The MSNZ website has resources and publications to help educate and empower people living with MS, their families, and the wider community.
Make an impact
Choose where your
support goes.
Every gift helps strengthen care, information, connection and advocacy for people affected by MS across Aotearoa.
NationalDrive change across Aotearoa.
Support advocacy, better care, faster diagnosis, treatment access and a stronger national voice.
Give nationally
LocalStrengthen support close to home.
Help regional societies provide information, practical support and meaningful community connection.
Give locally
CollectiveConnect local care with national action.
Whether you donate nationally or regionally, together we are raising funds and hope.
Choose where to donateOne week.
A lasting difference.