Lake Country woman to receive prestigious award from the MS Society of Canada BC and Yukon Division for advocacy and caregiving efforts in the MS Community
Lake Country, BC– September 23, 2019: For as long as Crystal Weber could remember, she has been her mother’s advocate and caregiver until she had passed away from multiple sclerosis (MS) earlier this year. From making her mother’s meals to putting clothes on her back, Crystal had supported her to ensure that she lived life to the fullest. This selfless act has shown their friends, colleagues and local community just how important it is to educate others about how MS affects a family.
“I was my Mom’s caregiver right from the time I was a child and have done it all, from paying the bills to the most intimate of care,” says Crystal. “I made her meals, clothed her and tried to open up her world, nothing was off limits as I tried to do whatever I could to help make life easier for my mom.”
Growing up, Crystal thought that she understood her mother’s journey with MS. However, it wasn’t until she was also diagnosed with MS last year that she had a better understanding of how it can affect one’s quality of life.
“As much as MS has always been a daily aspect of my life, there are still some things you cannot truly understand until you feel or experience them yourself,” she explains. “Being diagnosed with MS is not a death sentence. Today, MS is no longer rare and it is more important than ever to find out why this is and keep the dialogue going.”
Crystal’s dedication to being a caregiver and passionate advocate for people affected by MS will be recognized by the MS Society of Canada BC and Yukon Division on October 5th at the MS Connect conference in Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport. She will be presented with the MS Caregiver/Carepartner Volunteer Engagement Award.
This year, several individuals will be recognized in various award categories for their exceptional efforts in volunteering for the MS community.
“It is important to us that we share the accomplishments and formally recognize our most deserving award winners amongst members of the MS community,” explains Tania Vrionis, President of the Alberta and Northwest Territories – BC and Yukon Divisions. “They are all difference makers and are deserving of our most heartfelt thanks.”
To learn more about MS Connect and how to register to attend the conference, visit msconnect.ca or call 1-800-268-7582.
About multiple sclerosis and MS Connect
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world with 11 Canadians diagnosed with MS every day. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system comprising of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40 and the unpredictable effects of the disease last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides programs and services for people with MS and their families, advocates for those living with MS, and funds research to help improve the quality of life for people living with MS and to ultimately find a cure for this disease.
MS Connect is a conference that brings together people experiencing MS, health professionals and researchers from across Canada to discuss and learn about the latest MS research and symptom management developments. The conference features presentations from leading MS researchers, posters from up and coming researchers in the MS world, opportunities to engage with experts and vendors to aid people living with MS with their journey.
