Romanian Multiple Sclerosis Society

Our Mission :
Our mission is to manage the national movement of multiple sclerosis by stimulating research to understand the disease and finding a treatment in order to improve the quality of life of people affected by MS, by involving Local Organizations , public active participation and developing nationally and internationally partnerships .

Purpose :
- the coalition of member organizations (organizations of patients with MS) to achieve a single framework, national action in order to develop the movement of MS in Romania;
- to develop the cooperation with all public authorities and NGO’s providing socio-medical services for people affected by MS to increase quality services for people affected by MS.
Objectives:
- Defending the fundamental rights of members and promoting the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis (independence and involvement , health promotion and disease prevention, support family members, access to transportation, right to work and volunteering, right to education, right to health care and financial assistance, the right to housing and access to community buildings);
- Improving collaboration with social service providers and medical professional construction of quality standards for services to the people affected by MS;
- Promoting and stimulating research and collaboration in order to find a treatment against multiple sclerosis;
- Development of MS movement in Romania;
- Creating a single frame of national and international organizations to promote socio-medical and financial interests of the persons affected by MS;
- Information and public awareness of MS and MS national movement;
- Attract resources to achieve the goal.

The high-profile of militating for the rights of the multiple sclerosis patients in Romania offers complexe social services as:

1. Department of Information and Advice “MS HELP DESK” is a comprehensive service designed since 2003, but with phased development. This program focuses on strengthening the infrastructure of tools for formal and informal basis for SSMR and is designed to give to the society professional activities and long-term resources of the capacity development of partnerships and official recognition on issues and specialized services.

MS Help Desk Services are intended for:
People affected by MS: Information on disease, information resources and contacts; Advice on legal and social issues for people affected by MS; Advice on health issues for people affected by MS; Database management (including new requests for treatment); Organizing special events for people affected by MS; Various information; Monitoring the quality of life of people affected by MS.
Member organizations: The committee; Promotion at local level; Support for national partners; Information Resources; Logistic support; Organize training courses; The organization of expert working groups.

HELP LINE. In 2007 were registered over 2,500 phone calls. The service is provided by an operator and can be accessed Monday to Friday between the hours 08:00 and 16:00. Interested parties may call the telephone number 0 800 800 044. This telephone number is free from any network (fixed and mobile).

SSMR SITE – the website contains all the activities that our society has developed. The website is hosting an electronic form of the Columna magazine and a forum for people with multiple sclerosis) In 2008 we had a total of 86,319 visitors, having a distribution on each months.(www.smromania.ro)

NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TOPICS OF MS. The seminar is addressed to people affected by MS that includes an informative and educational program on socio-medical field, by supporting thematic workshops, presentations and discussions on topics of interest for people with MS, such as the latest and current treatment solutions, solutions on physiotherapy, nutrition, disease management, family, MS at work.

2. YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAM
- "Training for social involvement"
- "We May Speak So That You Can Understand" Multi-creatively speaking (MS) " -We can talk so that multi-understand language creatively " .
The TIA projects are intended solely for young people affected by multiple sclerosis, aged 18 years and 30 years financed by the European Commission through the National Agency for Community Programs in Education and Training (ANPCDEFP) within the Youth in action.

3. Multiple Sclerosis Society in Romania releases "National Center for Employment of labor for persons with multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases rare - Access Ability"

Multiple Sclerosis Society in Romania is developing this project during 01/10/2009 - 30/09/2012, in partnership with the National Agency for Employment, Quality of Life Research Institute, National Alliance for Rare Diseases in Romania and the Foundation for Community Care.
National Center will be a national resource of experts who will implement inclusive employment practices based on equality and diversity management in Romania. Also the WorkPath system will facilitate finding an appropriate job for the individual needs of the persons with disabilities and socio-economic research for these project, will highlight the situation of these persons in employment, job influence and quality of life .

Editorial activities:
COLUMNA MAGAZINE, is an important tool for SSMR, evidence is growing public interest for this review. The magazine reaches a circulation of 1,500 copies but our focus is be guided to its quality. Column Magazine contains information on medical, social and decision-making on multiple sclerosis, locally, nationally and internationally.

All these activities are performed grace to the collaboration with:
- 15 MS associations from around the country
- COPAC Alliance
- Multiple sclerosis international federation
- European multiple sclerosis platform