22/04/2026
MS Awareness Week, 20–26 April 2026 — Challenging Assumptions
This week is MS Awareness Week, and this year's campaign is all about challenging the assumptions people with multiple sclerosis face every day — and the harm those assumptions can cause.
What is MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of the nerves, disrupting the messages sent between the brain and body. More than 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, and most are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.
Symptoms are different for everyone, but can include:
• Fatigue that isn't eased by rest
• Problems with vision, such as blurring or pain in one eye
• Numbness, tingling or muscle stiffness
• Difficulties with balance, walking or coordination
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Bladder and bowel changes
Many symptoms of MS are invisible. A person who parks in an accessible bay, uses an accessible toilet, or asks for a seat on the bus may not "look" disabled — but that does not mean their need isn't real. Not every disability is one you can see.
If you have new, unexplained symptoms such as vision changes, persistent numbness, balance problems or unusual fatigue, please book an appointment. An early conversation can lead to the right referral for assessment.
Trusted places to learn more:
NHS — multiple sclerosis overview: nhs.uk/conditions/multiple-sclerosis
MS Society — MS Awareness Week: mssociety.org.uk/get-involved/ms-awareness-week
MS Trust — MS Awareness Week: mstrust.org.uk/get-involved/ms-awareness-week
This week, take a moment to pause before judging — and help us challenge the assumptions that make life harder for people living with MS.
