"On the last Wednesday of each May we acknowledge World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day, a day to bring the global MS community together to raise awareness and support those affected by multiple sclerosis.
The theme for this year's World MS Day is 'Independence,' and will explore how people with MS can be independent, regardless of what it means to them.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadians with disabilities and helping to create environments where they can be independent and participate equally in their communities and workplaces. Removing barriers and creating opportunities for a more active and prosperous society is good for our collective health and for our economy.
One of my top priorities as outlined in my mandate from the Prime Minister is to lead an engagement process with provinces, territories, municipalities and stakeholders that will lead to the passage of federal accessibility legislation. I am eager to hear from all Canadians during the engagement process, and I invite and encourage everyone to get involved in the conversation."
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Backgrounder
World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day is officially marked on the last Wednesday of May every year, though events and campaigns take place throughout the month of May. In 2009, the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation and its members initiated the first World MS Day to bring the global MS community together to share stories, raise awareness and campaign with and for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis.
In 2016, the theme for World MS Day is "Independence." It will explore how people with MS can be independent, acknowledging that independence can mean different things to different people.
MS is one of the most common neurological disorders and causes of disability in young adults. There are 2.3 million people with MS worldwide. It is likely that hundreds of thousands more remain undiagnosed, and many lives are affected indirectly through caring for someone with MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 31, with around twice as many women diagnosed than men.
The cause of MS is not yet known and as yet there is no cure, though there are treatments available that can help some forms of MS and many things that can be done to improve the symptoms.
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
