More information

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, ANYWAY?

Multiple sclerosis is an incurable autoimmune disease and is the second most common cause of disability in young adults. It typically affects adults aged 20 to 40 years. MS involves an inflammatory condition that damages myelin, thereby slowing down or completely halting the transmission of nerve impulses. Myelin becomes inflamed and detaches from nerve fibers, eventually transforming into hardened patches of scar tissue (sclerosis) that begin to form around the fibers. These formations appear in various areas of the brain and spinal cord. Due to the destruction of myelin, disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses can occur, triggering numerous symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The cause of multiple sclerosis is not known. Possible factors influencing the development of multiple sclerosis include genetics, viral infections, and autoimmune disorders. Environment also plays a significant role, as factors such as heat, cold, stress, infections, vaccinations, and injuries can worsen clinical symptoms and signs.

COURSE OF THE DISEASE

The course of multiple sclerosis (MS) can vary widely. In 60-80% of patients, the disease begins with a relapsing-remitting (RR) form, where symptoms occur in episodes followed by partial or complete recovery. Episodes last more than 24 hours and recur at least 30 days apart without a fever. In 40-60% of RR patients, the disease transitions within 10-15 years to a secondary progressive (SP) form, characterized by a gradual worsening of symptoms with occasional relapses. Approximately 15% of patients have primary progressive (PP) MS, where symptoms continuously worsen without periods of improvement. This form more commonly affects older men and presents with symptoms such as lower limb weakness, increased muscle tone, coordination difficulties, spasms, speech or swallowing problems, and fatigue. There is also a benign form of MS, affecting 15-20% of patients, where symptoms do not significantly progress or progress at all even after 15 years from disease onset.

Useful and available information

Association MS

Portal for more info on MS

ECTRIMS

Association Let’s Get to Know MS (Renata Žohar)

National MS Society

ACTRIMS

MS Reporter

Trotz MS

Dackathlon Awareness campaign on disability

Famous people coping with MS

Selma Blair

Anda Marić

Jack Osbourne

Barbara Pešut

Christina Applegate

Interesting products and projects

Bator

A carrier for easier transportation of items during daily activities. It allows easy and quick access to necessary items and reduces the burden.

Can

A multifunctional glove designed to make it easier for patients with MS to prepare, serve, and enjoy food. It helps those who have difficulty with grip control and hand strength.

Roll360

A modular product that alleviates the problem of lack of flexibility in existing walking aids. It offers an aesthetic and functional solution for various situations.

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PRESENT YOUR SOLUTION
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Stories

ORGANIZERS & PARTNERS

Roche, headquartered in the Swiss city of Basel, has been making significant contributions to global health for 126 years. Still majority family-owned, under one roof we integrate pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, as well as digital and data solutions, encompassing the entire patient journey. Our DNA is rooted in innovation and science. We deliver personalized innovations in oncology, immunology, neurology, hematology, virology, tissue diagnostics, diabetes, and women’s health. Our goal is to enable personalized healthcare solutions that can significantly improve patients’ quality of life and survival. In 2021, the Roche Group employed around 100,000 people worldwide and invested €13.2 billion in research and development. In Slovenia, we employ just over 80 professionals who actively engage in international collaboration, thereby connecting Slovenia’s business and expertise with the world. For more information, visit roche.si.

Ajdovščina, a picturesque town in the Vipava Valley, is renowned for its rich history and friendly inhabitants. It serves as an important industrial and economic center in the Primorska region, blending traditional values with modern development. The Municipality of Ajdovščina strives for innovation, implementing changes and improvements across all sectors to create new jobs and foster economic progress. Simultaneously, the municipal administration endeavors to provide a high-quality and healthy natural and social environment for its residents.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of Slovenia was established in 1973 with the aim of supporting and uniting individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, the association has over 2,100 members.

Over the years, it has grown into a recognized national disability organization, acknowledged for its broad scope of activities and granted public interest status in the field of social care. The Association runs 18 specialized social programs, providing support in various areas such as education, social care, employment, healthcare, disability pensions, culture, sports, and more. It is also active in local communities, focusing on improving the quality of life for individuals with mobility impairments who use assistive devices. The association works to eliminate visible and hidden barriers, striving to create equal conditions for all, allowing them to live as independently as possible.

The Association offers support to individuals with MS from both a health and psychosocial perspective, through specially designed social programs tailored to the specific needs of its members. These programs help individuals with MS maintain their independence and ensure a high quality of life.

Ensuring access to the built environment, information, and transportation is fundamental to the independence and inclusion of people with MS. A key priority for local communities is raising awareness and informing citizens about the needs and rights of people with disabilities.

TIMO d.o.o. Ajdovščina is a family-owned company with over 30 years of tradition, successfully operating in the field of medical equipment and textile products since 1992.

With an innovative approach and a passion for developing solutions, the company has equipped numerous homes and healthcare facilities across Slovenia and abroad over the years.

TIMO specializes in the production of high-quality medical devices, including shower trolleys, therapeutic and examination tables, stretchers, stainless steel trolleys, and uniforms for medical staff. Their commitment to quality and flexibility is reflected in in-house product development and Slovenian manufacturing, ensuring durable solutions for all their clients.

Dedication to excellence and long-term partnerships has been their guiding principle for over three decades. TIMO d.o.o. Ajdovščina – with you and for you since 1992.

The project creators seek creative solutions for people with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers, emphasizing the importance of support and solidarity within society, much like UniCredit Bank. Through innovative and widely accessible solutions, they aim to improve the quality of life for patients and caregivers, enabling them to better manage the disease and live more independently for longer. Community support is a key part of UniCredit Bank’s mission, as they strive to connect for a better tomorrow and offer assistance to those who need it most, fostering greater independence and better living conditions.

Empowering individuals to form highly effective and motivated teams. We are changing the mindset of traditional business. This is about HUMAN transformation in the DIGITAL ERA. Digital transformation is NOT about technology… it’s about STRATEGY, LEADERSHIP, new ways of THINKING, and continuous INNOVATION. It’s about PEOPLE! And that is the essence of Transformation Lighthouse.