Jeanie My Jenkins, TV host of the syndicated talk show The Real, kept her Aunt Lynn’s multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis a secret from the rest of her family until she was ready to speak for herself. was
Mai Jenkins said her neurological condition prevented her aunt from physically attending family functions such as holiday gatherings.
After realizing her aunt’s condition, her family decided to change their approach to vacation. These difficult gatherings also inspired Mai Jenkins to join Express4MS. Express4MS is a new campaign aimed at visualizing the journey of people living with this disease.
This campaign is funded by EMD Serono Inc. EMD Serono Inc. is a biotechnology company owned by Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany that manufactures two of his FDA-approved drugs for relapsing forms of MS.
“It was critical [and] Not only are we more patient and empathetic, [but] Just be there,” Mai Jenkins told CNBC Make It, adding: Week, next hour, next holiday. ”
Ultimately, her family made adjustments that could help people with conditions other than multiple sclerosis. Here are five recommendations for dealing with loved ones living with .
- Reach out a month or two before your holiday get-together and ask what they would like to contribute to the event.
- Give them a variety of options, from activities like cooking to simply showing up.
- Study their condition to learn potential symptoms and causes of flare-ups and help keep them comfortable.
- Remind them that you are there if they need to talk.
- Please respect their boundaries and understand that you may not be able to attend this year.
These tips reflect advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and encourage people with disabilities to consider the following:
- Eliminate the idea that they cannot participate.
- Give them the same treatment you give others.
- Modify items and activities so that they can be included in as many gatherings as possible.
“Especially on vacation, loved ones with so many different types of disabilities can really struggle with loud noises, flashing lights, overlapping conversations, overstimulation from easily ingested things, etc. It’s important for people to know that, of course,” says Mai Jenkins.
“Keep this in mind if anyone in your family has any illness,” she adds.
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