4 Ways to Connect with the MS Community

In the United States, nearly 1 million people over the age of 18 live with multiple sclerosis (MS). That may seem like a lot, but it’s less than 1% of the population. That means that it can be relatively rare to meet other people who share the same experience as you.

For that reason, learning that you have MS can be an isolating experience. “When I was first diagnosed, I realized, ‘I don't know anybody with this,’” says Jennifer Graves, 39, of Gilbert, Arizona, who was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, the most common type of MS, in 2020. Her experience is not unique—a survey from the Multiple Sclerosis Society found that 3 out of 5 people with MS feel lonely because of their condition.

However, finding and maintaining social connections can help keep loneliness at bay. “It’s especially [helpful] in the very beginning to build a small group of people or to find somewhere that you can go to when you're having a rough go of it,” Jennifer says.