Welcome to a special MStranslate feature focussed on the topic of “Employment and Multiple Sclerosis. This event has been developed with A/Prof Pieter van Dijk and A/Prof Andrea Kirk-Brown from Monash University Peninsula Campus, and will showcase their detailed research in this area. AN INTRODUCTION To begin, we meet the team and learn about the focusses and motivations of their work. PAST STUDIES What are the outcomes of disclosing your multiple sclerosis diagnosis at work? How important is it to feel safe at work? These questions have been investigated by Andrea and Pieter through their past research studies and they discuss their findings in the below video. LIVE Q&A BROADCAST Our week-long focus on this topic included a Facebook Live Q&A, held on October 17th, 2019. The event provided members of the MStranslate community a chance to talk directly with the lead investigators, Andrea and Pieter, asking any questions they had on the theme. Many also took the opportunity to share their own experiences, both positive and negative, which helped facilitate a really value-adding discussion. PARTICIPATE IN THE RESEARCH As mentioned during the live discussion, Andrea and Pieter are seeking people living with multiple sclerosis, who are maintaining a career at present, to join their current study. Research participation will help shape the future of employment support services provided to the MS community here in Australia. Those eager to take part should watch the below video for more details on the project. If you believe you’re eligible to take part, please commence the process by clicking here. MORE DETAIL ON CURRENT STUDIES The final feature in our week long focus on the topic of employment and multiple sclerosis sought to provide more insights into the current studies being undertaken by Andrea and Peter. We would like to finish by thanking Andrea, Pieter and Danielle for the opportunity to collaborate on the development of this feature week. We have taken great pleasure in being able to give exposure to the fantastic, highly relevant work they’re undertaking. Thank you also to all those members of the MStranslate community, across all of our online platforms, that have taken the time to participate and share their own lived experiences (both positive and negative) throughout this event.
