Pavel Zlobin

Country: Russia
Age: 37
Type of MS:Secondary progressive
Year of Diagnosis: 1999




I am the Vice-President for International Affairs for the All-Russian multiple sclerosis (MS) Society. I was diagnosed with MS in 1999, although I experienced the first symptoms in 1987.

I think there were two reasons why it took so long to receive a diagnosis. Firstly, Russian physicians are reluctant to let patients know the diagnoses for serious diseases such as cancer and MS. Secondly, while my MS symptoms allowed me to act, though with difficulty, like others did, I was more focused on my daily duties and aspirations one has in his twenties rather than on the name of what was troubling me. So, I postponed my visit to the doctor as long as possible.

Life is tough for people with MS wherever they live. The situation changed dramatically in terms of medical care for Russian people with MS because four years ago the government started paying for the medicines physicians prescribed to patients including disease modifying drugs for MS. Certainly, more should be done for MS patients with regard to the quality of medical services provided and their access to medical facilities.

So, people with MS also face challenges of non-medical sort. Accessibility is a big issue in most Russian cities and this prevents people from living a normal social life. In my provincial town, there is only one supermarket that I am able to access on my scooter. At the same time, wheelchair users like me can get to most places outdoors today. Things are improving. Indeed, I expect more.

MS is still neglected as people think it is a minor problem. We participated in World MS Day this year and I believe it united people throughout the world. Through this day MSIF was able to advocate for the needs of people with MS globally. My colleagues and I think it was an enormously inspiring action and this day was met with enthusiasm in many regions of Russia.

One doctor told me 'you’ve got to live with it. That's it'. I increasingly realise he was right. What’s the point in sawing sawdust? I must learn to use what’s at hand, and there are people who do it brilliantly. I think the important thing about having MS is the way one treats it. MS symptoms may upset me if I let them, but I try to laugh them off. It works! It helps me carry out my duties and live a life that at the end of the day seems normal despite my MS progressing. That has given me strength, for example, to work for the All-Russian National MS Society and to raise awareness about MS through World MS Day.

All-Russian MS Society