President's Message - Archives
Putting your health first
Yves Savoie Good health is a priority for all of us. For Canadians living with MS, the road to wellness involves more than treatment of the disease. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological illness that creates variability, disability and uncertainty. Frequently, it demands a significant amount of energy, tenacity, and courage to meet everyday challenges. But this disease is just one aspect of health to those we serve. At the MS Society of Canada, we believe it is important to have a multi-faceted wellness program.
We are often reminded to protect our overall health and well-being with choices such as healthy eating, not smoking, and some form of regular physical activity balanced with adequate rest. Each year, the MS Society offers several programs that are contributing to wellness for people with MS, their caregivers and families. We are also encouraged by promising new developments related to MS treatments that increase the arsenal of therapies available to people with MS, enabling them to better manage the disease and, ultimately, their overall health.
Recently, the World Health Organization acknowledged the rapid spread of the H1N1 virus by declaring it a phase six pandemic—meaning there is widespread human transmission of the disease. While we know most people who contract the virus will experience mild symptoms and be able to recover at home, I believe we all have a responsibility to do everything we can to avoid exposure to H1N1, and to do our best to help limit its spread.
This is especially true for people living with a pre-existing condition like multiple sclerosis. Many factors and MS symptoms, for example, decreased mobility, difficulty swallowing, weakened breathing and sore muscles, can make a simple bout of the flu serious. That’s why in a recent edition of MS Canada, we address the H1N1 virus, and share facts that can offer protection as we weather this year’s flu season.
Putting your health first contributes to general wellness, which among other benefits, provides hope that one can renew and refresh along the way.
I extend my very best wishes to you and your loved ones for a lifetime of good health and well-being.
Back
to top
 |
