Raz Khatibi

Country: Iran
Age: 34
Type of MS: Secondary progressive
Year of diagnosis: 1997



I was born in a village in the northern part of Iran in 1974. In 1994 I began my studies in medicine at Tabriz Medical University. In the second year of education I felt some symptoms including weakness in my feet, urinary problems and impaired coordination. Because this disease was not well known in Iran at that time, it took one year for physicians to make a diagnosis. In 1997 I was told I had MS in relapsing-remitting form.

I continued my education but the disease developed into secondary progressive form in 2001. I was faced with a lot of problems and at that time I couldn’t walk without a walking cane. In spite of the physical disabilities caused by having MS, I graduated in 2003 as a general physician.

After graduating I joined the Educational Development Centre of Kurdistan Medical University. My work involved assisting students and teachers with their research projects. This helped me to develop in my job and become the manager of research in education at the university. I am also a member of the research in education group in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.

I have also been involved in a large number of medical education research projects. As a result, I have participated in three national medical education congresses in Iran by presenting six posters and have published a paper in an Iranian medical education journal. I have participated in medical education workshops in addition to currently studying an e-learning medical education course from Shaheed Beheshti University.

My disease has not stopped me from continuing my work. Since 2004, I have been one of the reviewers of Medical Education Online and another medical education journal since 2006. I also published a book, “Primary Care” in 2005.

Due to my perseverance, I developed the Kurdistan MS Society in Iran and became the head of that Society in 2007. I continue being very active in organising social activities and helping others with MS. I did not let this disease prevent me from succeeding in life.

I believe that this disease will be treated in the early future. I recommend that people overcome this disease and don't let it prevent them from their personal and social activities.

MS Society Iran