Momentum - Spring 2013

Momentum
Embracing diversity in the MS movement

Multiple sclerosis doesn’t discriminate. It affects people of every skin color, ethnicity, religion, sexual and gender identity, marital status, socioeconomic status—you name it. At the National MS Society, we know it’s critically important that we have a diverse perspective, so we can most effectively overcome the challenges MS brings. We know, too, that we’re not as diverse as we need or want to be. We must be more welcoming and more open; more sensitive to the wide range of experiences and needs of people affected by MS; and more effective in communicating with everyone. We are working hard to close that gap.

MARK KIRYLUK

In this issue of Momentum, we explore the Hispanic/Latino experience of living with MS. Recently, African-American leaders have worked with us on being more relevant—altering the look of our brochures and changing our outreach methods to make the MS movement more inviting. And we’ve received funding from the Medtronic Foundation for videos that speak to the African-American community. But we know we have much more work to do to gain the trust and feel pertinent to people of any background who have MS or are affected

by MS. We know it goes far deeper than just having Spanish-language materials available or showing a person of color on a poster.

It’s a challenge to become more diverse, and we need a complete effort to understand how to do that. We have a commitment, starting from our National Board of Directors, to welcome all people affected by MS, as part of our strategic response to MS, and have developed a diversity statement to affirm our commitment (go to nationalMSsociety.org/ corevalues to read it). We’ve put together a dedicated team of volunteers, staff and people with MS to address questions of diversity and inclusion, and to create a specific, measurable action plan.

But we recognize that many of the answers must come from people who are not yet connected with the Society. I welcome input from Momentum readers about what feels supportive and engaging, and what doesn’t. We want to hear your ideas. I invite you to share what you know, and help us connect with others. If you have an idea, skill or a talent that you can bring to the movement to make sure we’re as relevant as possible, please reach out.

We intend to be the Society
for everyone affected by MS.
Regardless of where you live,
whether you are Hispanic/
Latino, African-American,
Asian-American, Native
American, Caucasian, gay,
straight, rich or poor—the
common denominator is that
you have MS, or care about
someone who does.