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Every two years, the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) recognises the contribution of a person with MS in the fight against this debilitating disease. The James D. Wolfensohn Award is a travel grant to a person with MS and escort, for the purpose of attending the MSIF Biennial Council Meeting in recognition of their valuable contribution to the fight against MS.
MSIF is pleased to announce that the 2005 award has been given to Izabela Odrobińska from Poland for her outstanding work in building the Polish MS Society and developing and strengthening the links between the local MS society and the international MS community.
Mrs. Izabela Odrobinska was born in Gdansk, Poland in 1968. Since 1991 she has lived in Warsaw. She was diagnosed with MS in 1997. Soon after the diagnosis she suffered from fatigue, visual and hearing impairment and partial paralysis. Since 2001 she has used a wheelchair, hearing aid and optical aid. Despite these difficulties, Izabela has used her experience as a journalist (she worked in national newspapers) to raise the awareness and fight for MS rights.
Her most outstanding achievements include:
• Working with top Polish neurologists to develop the National Program of MS Treatment and also lobbying for its implementation in the Polish Ministry of Health.
• Obtaining a grant from the European MS Platform enabling the Polish MS Society to hire more staff and develop a new office.
• Developing a local alliance which resulted in the signing of an agreement between the Polish MS Society and other NGO’s regarding a declaration proclaiming the necessity of introducing a Personal Assistant service in Poland.
• Initiating a Coalition for Persons with MS in Poland. The Coalition is a social movement whose aim is to introduce in Poland a unified system of financing the treatment for MS patients and to lobby a National Program for MS Treatment.
• Introducing the Polish MS Society into international arena, i.e. by participation in many different international conferences, meetings and events.
Izabela’s outstanding spirit and fighting attitude became an inspiration for many people, not only those with MS. It has encouraged many disabled persons to change their lives and to become involve in social and community life. It has also inspired many healthy people to devote themselves to fighting MS and helping those with this and other disabling conditions.
For further information contact:
Cecilia Neher
Information and Communications Manager
MSIF
Skyline House, 200 Union Street, London, SE1 0LX
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7620 1911
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7620 1922
cecilia@msif.org
www.msif.org
Source: MSIF
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