Kontakt 2008, 10(1):117-124 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2008.017

Activities of the self-help organization Roska helping patients with multiple sclerosis from the viewpoint of its membersHealth and Social Sciences

Zuzana Knoflíčková

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta, katedra klinických oborů

Multiple sclerosis (henceforth "MS") is a medically and socially serious disease, which is not rare and which causes disability depending on the nature of the mobility involvement. It causes a number of medical, psychical and social problems affecting each other, which in their consequences depreciate the quality of the patient life.
The patient, due to his/her health condition, is already not able to live as actively as before. He/she is isolated from the society, unsure, withdrawn, loses friends and family and partner problems can be associated in most cases. These problems are unfortunately quite not unique. The reasons for this social isolation are in the whole society, which is not aware of problems of this disease. This results in certain misunderstandings, distorted and imprecise information concerning this diagnosis. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by its slow and creeping development. The patient frequently does not realize that he/she will suffer from the disease for life.
The psychosocial impact of multiple sclerosis is a consequence of two main factors which affect one another and which cannot be easily differentiated in practice:
* Ability of the person, adjustment to the diagnosis, handicap and MS consequences.
* Extent of the psychological defect caused by the pathological process.
A moderation of the negative psychosocial impact can also be supported by a feeling that the people are not isolated with their disease. This can be provided not only in their family, but also in a "club" of patients - in the Roska Union organization. "Sursum corda" (heart up) is a motto of the Roska Union, which helps the people involved with the multiple sclerosis in the Czech Republic and which also associates them. This is the main volunteer organization, which takes care of and supports individuals with multiple sclerosis. It also does not forget their families, which are supposed to learn living with the patient and dealing with MS similarly as the patient.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis; ROSKA; appeal to members

Received: January 14, 2008; Accepted: April 21, 2008; Published: July 27, 2008  Show citation