Golriz has MS

The Herald reports:

Green MP Golriz Ghahraman has opened up about her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, saying she feels she has a “responsibility” to start an honest conversation about the autoimmune disease.

In a tweet, Ghahraman said today was the first time she had spoken publicly about life with MS.

“I’ve learned so much about community, equality and access to care.

Mostly, it showed me how strong and capable the MS and broader disability community really are – and the importance of our right to representation.”

Speaking to The Project’s Kanoa Lloyd this evening, Ghahraman said she first learned about her diagnosis two years ago after she began to lose sight in one eye.

She was on “hardcore medication” and had to visit a hospital every six months.

“Essentially, they shut down your immune system in order to protect your nervous system,” she told The Project.

I’m very saddened to hear that Golriz has MS, and full of admiration that she has gone public with it. It is not easy to expose your diagnosis to the world.

There is no cure for MS, and treatments are variable, as is the effect on the person.

I’ve known a few people with MS. One of them has had it for well over 15 years, and I doubt anyone who knows them has any idea they have MS as there are no external symptoms. Another died of it in their 40s. Overall the average life expectancy from diagnosis is 30 (more) years.

MS is more prevalent in countries further away from the equator, but no one really knows why. Possibly due to less sunlight.

The treatment for it is improving all the time, and hopefully scientific breakthroughs will improve the quality of life for all those with MS.