Equity and empowerment: Starting the conversation

My name is Yves Savoie, president and CEO of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and passionate advocate for Canadians with multiple sclerosis. I’m looking forward to contributing to this blog, where I will talk about issues of interest to Canadians affected by MS and people who, like me, believe in equity and the full integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of life.

I’m excited to start this conversation and look forward to regular dialogue that keeps MS at the forefront of people’s minds. Conversation and collaboration are some of the best ways to fuel our fight against this disease, as we all do whatever it takes to end MS.

First, a little about me. I have a keen interest in MS research and what we can do to accelerate the translation of discoveries into clinical benefits for people living with MS. I spend a lot of my time advocating for policy change that has a direct impact on the quality of life of people with MS. In this regard, what comes to mind is our work to pressure governments to better support the important role of informal caregivers and to improve accommodations and flexible supports in employment for people with disabilities.

The passion I have for what I do is rooted in values of equality, which my parents inculcated in me from a very young age. I also believe firmly that people with disabilities own the choices that affect all aspects of their lives, and should be in control of those decisions. Our role at the MS Society is to support people with MS to make the choices that feel right for them.

I am inspired by people affected by MS who do things, every day, that make me want to step up to the challenge even more!

This past week I spoke with a senior volunteer and long-time supporter of the MS Society. He told me that our commitment to finding answers about progressive MS has created tremendous excitement in the MS community – it’s this type of feedback that both informs the work we do and inspires us to move quickly in meeting our objectives for the people who count on us. (See the video above for more on our future priorities, including MS research.)

December is a season of giving and thanks, and I appreciate the enormous generosity that propels our work at the MS Society. I can’t thank you enough for bringing us closer to our shared goal: to find a cure for MS and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year.