Ahead of MS Awareness Week, the MS Trust has 40 young people, who are either directly affected by MS or who have a parent with MS, available to talk to the media with the aim of raising awareness, and ensuring no young person feels like they have to face MS alone.

Every week, around 100 people are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK. Understanding MS is hard enough as an adult, but for the increasing numbers of young people affected by MS, it can be huge challenge.

This MS Awareness Week (23-29th April), the MS Trust is highlighting the impact MS can have on young people.

New research has found that increasing numbers of young people are being diagnosed with MS, with almost three quarters (70%) experiencing symptoms before the age of 20. These symptoms can range from fatigue to vision problems and intense pain. However, the survey showed that over three quarters (75%) of young people with MS feel ‘confused and scared’ by much of the information they’ve found about the condition, and ‘frustrated and alienated’ that so much of it was ‘geared towards older people.’

Case studies from across the UK spoke about the challenges they faced dealing with an MS diagnosis at a young age.

A common thread throughout was one of loneliness: ‘Knowing that someone my age was going through it would’ve helped me a great deal because my loneliness ate away at me for years.