Meet our MSPs... Ms. Maheswari

As part of our new awareness campaign, MSSI Chennai Chapter is introducing you to the stories of some of our MS patients, who would like to help others understand the effects MS can cause to peoples lives. Multiple Sclerosis affects different people in different ways, and at different times. This can make it hard to diagnose, as it varies from day to day and from person to person. What matters is the support we can provide to MS patients, both medically and through counseling and support.

Ms. Maheswari is a resident of T. Nagar, a neighbourhood of Chennai. At the age of 46 years old, she was diagnosed with MS 15 years ago, at the age of 31 years old. Her symptoms presented themselves at the age of 30, hindering her work. She was employed in textiles, as a garment exporter, when her eyesight begun to deteriorate.

The affects of MS meant that she quickly became unable to continue her work. The ability to look and judge the quality and colour of the fabrics they were exporting were crucial to her employment, and she was unable to continue. The MS has mainly affected her eyesight, but also her gait, reducing her mobility. Other symptoms that MS can manifest as include fatigue, numbness, tingling, balance / coordination problems, spasticity, pain, dizziness and speech and voice disorders.

Ms. Maheswari has been an active member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India for a long time. She told us that the MSSI mainly gives her psychological support, which is crucial for MSPs when coping with the disease. The knowledge that there are people there, willing and wanting to help you makes all the difference. Knowing that you are not the only person out there experiencing your symptoms, and that there are others out there who know how you feel. She told us that '...Any problem you have - you can ask them, and they will help you'. The treatment for MS here in India is very expensive, and the MSSI are able to subsidise this medication, and provide physiotherapy to patients. Being able to talk to the staff at the MSSI is very important as a means of support.

Not only does she receive support from the charity, but she also helps the charity to reach more people in Chennai suffering silently with MS, and to help raise funds to finance future projects and plans. She volunteers both for the MSSI, and for the Spastic Society of India, an NGO that aims to empower those with disabilities through Education, Employment, Health Care and Advocacy. Though her condition limits her mobility, she still actively participates with these charities. When not volunteering, Ms. Maheswari is kept company by her two loving cocker spaniels.

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