5 Resources for People With Multiple Sclerosis

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can take you by surprise, but you certainly aren't alone. Nearly one million people in the United States have MS, and there’s a thriving community of like-minded people dedicated to finding a cure and helping people live their best life while managing the disease — if you know where to look.

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Whether you have relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, primary progressive MS, or clinically isolated syndrome, there are resources available that can help you navigate nearly every aspect of the condition.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

As the largest MS organization in the world, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is at the forefront of research and advocacy for the disease. Its main goal is to find a cure for MS, and it works toward this by funding research aimed at stopping, reversing, and preventing the condition.

It also helps improve the lives of everyone affected by the disease, from people who’ve been diagnosed to their caregivers and loved ones. Its MS Navigator program provides personalized information and resources from qualified professionals.

The society has a variety of support programs:

• The peer-to-peer MSFriends program offers one-on-one support with trained volunteers.
• The New to MS Virtual Meetup connects newly diagnosed individuals with one another.
• It’s online communities are run by trained volunteers who lead private, inclusive conversations.

You can find more information, including news and upcoming events, on its website and by following the society on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, or MS Focus, as it’s known in the MS community, is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with MS. It provides free support services, educational materials, and financial aid to people living with the condition as well as their caregivers.

MS Focus hosts events throughout the country, including in-person educational programs, and provides grants for emergency rent or utility assistance, doctor visits, and home or respite care.

You can also join a support group through the MS Focus Independent Support Group Network, which maintains a directory by state. If you’d like to start a support group of your own, you can apply through the support groups department.

You can find more information on the MS Focus website and by following the foundation on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit that offers support and services to people with MS as well as their loved ones and caregivers. Through its equipment distribution program, the MSAA provides free safety and mobility devices such as grab bars, shower chairs, and walkers to people who complete an application.

If you’re looking for more information about MS, the MSAA maintains an extensive library of videos, webcasts, and webinars on topics such as symptom management, healthy aging, food and nutrition, and more. The organization also hosts the MSAA Podcast, which shares information from leading medical professionals around the country.

The MSAA's free helpline connects people with MS as well as their loved ones and caregivers to trained specialists, who can offer coping advice, encouragement, and other help. Keep up with them on social media, including its platforms on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Can Do Multiple Sclerosis

Can Do Multiple Sclerosis is a nonprofit that provides free educational resources and support to people who have MS as well as their loved ones. The organization was founded by the Olympic bronze medalist Jimmie Heuga, who was diagnosed with MS at age 26 and who embodied a can-do attitude.

Can Do offers a variety of online programs, including one- and two-hour weekly webinars hosted by leading MS healthcare professionals about everything from emerging treatments, to pain relief strategies, to aging advice. You can register for these programs online.

For more personalized help, you can connect with a Can Do coach as part of a small group. Additionally, there are in-person community programs in certain parts of the country for personalized guidance about how to navigate life with MS.

Follow Can Do Multiple Sclerosis on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.

MS Views and News

MS Views and News (MSVN) is a nonprofit patient advocacy organization that provides educational programs and resources to people around the country, including those in rural and underserved communities. Its goal is to be the most comprehensive source of information for people with MS, and its resources page shares dozens of links with information about treatments, financial assistance, and clinical trials.

MSVN hosts in-person educational events like workshops, as well as webinars and virtual events like exercise sessions for chair yoga and Pilates. It also offers a handy doctor-patient communication tool, which allows you to rate your symptoms, list your goals, and track your medications and supplements — helping you make the most of your neurology appointments.

You can follow along with MSVN on its blog and social media channels, including X, Facebook, and Instagram.