"Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that is the second most common cause of neurological disability in young adults after injury," says the Fundación Esclerosis Múltiple (FEM). It affects more than 2.3 million people around the world and the onset of the first symptoms normally comes when patients are between 20 and 40 years old. Today, there is no known cause or cure. It is a silent disease known as the "disease of a thousand faces" because of its wide variety of symptoms, different in each person: fatigue, visual impairment, difficulty speaking, loss of balance and coordination, and spasms, among others.

«Independence is the focus of the new campaign for World Multiple Sclerosis Day.»

World Multiple Sclerosis Day, an initiative of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) and its support networks, has been held since 2009 to raise awareness of different aspects of this disease. This year the campaign focuses on independence. "We want to inspire people to challenge the perception of what people with multiple sclerosis can do. Our challenge is to live as independently as possible and enjoy each day to the fullest. It isn't an easy task, but multiple sclerosis won't stop us from trying."

More charity events to support research are held in May, and a toolkit of free resources is available to anyone interested in supporting this cause on social media.

«We want to inspire people to challenge the perception of what people with multiple sclerosis can do.»

Here at Batec Mobility we are joining the World Multiple Sclerosis Day initiative because we know first-hand how important it is to be independent when living with a disability. In fact, our handbikes are designed to make wheelchair users more self-sufficient so that, as the MS campaign says, disability can't stop them.