We meet with over 100 MPs at Westminster
Yesterday we visited Westminster with members of our MS community. We spoke to over 100 MPs about MS and what they can do to support people affected by the condition.
Why did we host this event?
With MS Awareness Week coming up next week, we wanted to take the issues affecting our community directly to decision-makers. We wanted every MP to understand what it’s like to live with MS – and what must change.
That’s why we asked our campaigners to share their stories, and hundreds of members of our community did. We gathered important stories about life with MS like claiming PIP, working with MS, and access to neurology services and care.
MPs heard these powerful testimonies about the reality of living with MS first hand. As well as what they must do to bring about change.
Who attended the event?
The event was attended by people living with MS, our ambassadors and celebrity supporters, and 150 MPs, Lords and their staff.
Our celebrity supporters included comedian Ivo Graham, former Lioness Mary Phillip, and television presenter Cat Jarman and her partner Earl Spencer. They shared their personal connections to MS and urged our politicians to better understand and address the issues faced by people with MS.
We were also joined by members of our community who live with MS, who spoke about their experiences. This included Phoebe Day, who was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 2020, who movingly shared her her story:
“Living with MS is exhausting. Whilst my friends are going for baby scans, I am going for brain scans. Having to cancel for the hundredth time on my friends, having to fill out lengthy and challenging application forms to prove I am worthy of being deemed disabled and to receive benefits, having to research where the nearest toilet is or having to flaunt my disabled badge very clearly when people are judging me for parking in a disabled space.”
Guests also heard from the event sponsor Chris Law MP on his personal connection to MS. And from the Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms MP about the government's recent plans.
MPs attended the event to learn about MS in their constituencies. They heard about how they can support people living with MS in parliament. And how to be involved in MS Awareness Week.
What happens next?
We'll continue to work with MPs to ensure they understand the unpredictability of MS and how they can best represent their constituents with MS. We'll be following up with all attendees and politicians about the issues we discussed in parliament and making sure MS is a priority for them.
There's lots of relevant legislation and government activity for people with MS at the moment. We want to make sure that our voices are heard loud and clear.
MS doesn’t stop at diagnosis – and neither do we.
If you want to get involved with our campaigns, sign up as a campaigner today!
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Speak to someone who knows MS
Our free MS Helpline gives emotional support and information to everyone living with MS. We’re here Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm except bank holidays on 0808 800 8000.
We're a mix of paid staff and volunteers, MS nurses, benefits and legal specialists, health and social care and fitness experts. We all know life with MS.
Send us a private message on Facebook messenger. Or send us an email: [email protected]. We're only a click or call away.
