Francine’s reflections on her involvement as a peer researcher

Getting involved in the MS peer research study focusing on people with MS from Black and South Asian British communities has been an eye-opening experience for me. As a peer researcher, I had the opportunity to interview and run focus groups for both men and women from these backgrounds, listening to their stories and learning about their unique journeys. Listening to other people’s stories from their first symptoms to being finally diagnosed was one of the most impactful parts of being a peer researcher.

I am incredibly grateful for being a part of this project because it important not just for raising awareness but most importantly for pushing for meaningful change in the healthcare system. There is a need to raise better awareness and understanding among medical professionals when it comes to diagnosing MS in people of colour. Regardless of ethnicity, everyone deserves timely diagnosis and treatment.

I believe that by doing more studies like the MS peer research study which involve the perspective of people who live with the medical condition to the research, we can advocate for a more equitable healthcare system and start making some change.