When Maria and Marek married in 1977, Marek was already diagnosed with MS and had to stop working. In 1982, after an optic neuritis attack left Marek partially blind, Maria encouraged him to found a local MS society in Gniezo, Poland. Maria not only cared for Marek but enabled him to attend meetings and visit people with MS in their local community. In 1998, Maria retired from her 32-year teaching career and became more active within the local society by taking on the role of secretary.

Maria’s support for her husband led her to collaborate with the Polish Association for the Blind in the organisation of rehabilitation for those whose sight had been affected by MS. She has also been instrumental in the formation of new local MS societies in Znin, Wrzesnia and Witkowo.

Maria’s positive outlook and hard work has helped Marek and others to realise that although they have MS, the disease does not have them.

In recognition of her award, the Polish MS Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Stwardnienia Rozsianego, PTSR) presented Maria with flowers at a conference held on 9 November in Gniezo. Marek’s work was also recognised at the conference as he was presented with a Caritas Helping Hand Award. Further information can be found on the PTSR website here.

Maria will be honoured for her outstanding commitment and devotion in support of people with MS by her community in January 2007, when she will be presented with a silver salver.

To find out more about the Evelyn Nicholson Award for International Caregiver of the Year, please click here.