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Shortland Street MS Story
In light of the current Multiple Sclerosis storyline running on Shortland Street, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Auckland and the North Shore want to take the opportunity to promote the many services it offers to provide support, guidance and information to people with Multiple Sclerosis.
The reality of being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis can be a devastating experience and can turn your world upside down - just as Dr Sarah Potts is discovering in the Shortland Street story. As with any chronic disease or condition there are physical impacts on your body and emotional challenges to deal with. Whether newly diagnosed or having lived with MS for a number of years, there will always be uncertainty as to the course your MS will take and how your symptoms may present both now and in the future.
The Society is pleased to see Shortland Street handling this issue, as it raises awareness of MS. It is a great way for people to learn more about MS and the impact it can have on individuals and their families. However, having MS doesn’t have to be a downhill battle. Most people with MS lead very full and rewarding lives despite the challenges of this condition, often by making the most of the services and programmes available to them in the community and through their regional MS Society.
Shortland Street Producer, Jason Daniel, said "As a continuing serial Shortland Street has the ability to explore situations and issues in considerable depth over long periods - and this is what we intend to do with Sarah’s multiple sclerosis. The story has already examined the impact her diagnosis has on her personally and professionally. And in the future it will explore how she learns to live with her MS. I’m very pleased that the MS Society approves of our efforts so far, and I hope that audiences will continue to find Sarah's story inspiring and uplifting."
For support or information about MS, feel free to contact MS Auckland Region on 0800 MS INFO (0800 674 636).
Please address press enquiries to:
Nicola Garland
MS Auckland Region
PO Box 16275, Sandringham, Auckland
Phone: (09) 845 5921
Mobile: 021 253 189
Fax: (09) 845 5923
World's First National Study of MS Prevalence
In a report released on 1st September 2008, New Zealand became the first country to research the national incidence of multiple sclerosis. This research was jointly funded by the MS Society of New Zealand and the Health Research Council.
MS is a neurological auto-immune disease that currently has no cure. This research has identified close to 3000 people in New Zealand as having MS, with a further 1200 potentially living with the condition.
MS affects women at a rate three times that of men and is most often diagnosed in the late twenties to early thirties. While MS is most prevalent in people from a European background, the research has established that there are 61 Maori people with MS in New Zealand.
The prevalence of MS in New Zealand is significantly related to regions of the country - increasing from 50.8 people per 100,000 in Northland to 134.6 people per 100,000 in Southland.
This research is a valuable tool to establish the resources required to support people with MS and their families and carers across New Zealand, as well as being the foundation from which further clinical research can develop.
Read more about the prevalence of MS in New Zealand.