My Sclerosis | A film about the impact MS has on day-to-day life

MySclerosis press release
EMBARGOED UNTIL 18/02/2020
In collaboration with the social network for people with multiple sclerosis Shift.ms, Polish-Canadian film director Stash Capar has released a film highlighting the struggles people living with MS go through.
"My Sclerosis" was written, directed and produced by Stash. Based in Toronto, Canada, Stash was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2011 and had a few very rough years early on, but slowly, through trial and error, found his own way of managing his MS.
In those early years after his diagnosis none of Stash's friends and acquaintances had any idea of what he was dealing with, because he very rarely ever talked about it. He never joined any support groups and never talked about it on social media. In his own words "I always found pride in being able to handle challenging things on my own and with MS it was no exception."
In 2019 however, his mindset shifted. He felt he was in a place in his life where he could open up about his experiences and maybe even connect to other people who are living with MS. So Stash made a film. It was his attempt to show how MS affects day to day life, in a bit-sized and compelling way, based on his own symptoms and experiences.

Stash was searching for the right platform for the film, and then he discovered Shift.ms. "I wish I had known that your network existed years ago" Stash shared when speaking to Shift.ms's team. We do too Stash. Shift.ms feel very privileged to be collaborating with Stash on the release of his film "My Sclerosis".

The compelling film will highlight the daily struggles people living with MS go through, and the impact this has on relationships and everyday routine - tasks that many people without MS take for granted. We've all told people we're "fine" when we are not and know it's sometimes difficult to share what's really going on. Stash's compelling short film allows people an insight into everyday life with MS and to let people know that it's OK not to be "fine".

George Pepper, Founder & CEO of Shift.ms comments: "Shift.ms has a long history of challenging the preconceived ideas of what charity and health films look like. We've made it our mission to broaden the authentic representation of MSers on screen, through our documentary and narrative film content.

"MSers have always been at the heart of all our film content, every film we produce comes from a genuine user need and MSers are always embedded in the production team. It feels like a natural evolution that 'My Sclerosis' is the first film we have shared that is fully written, produced and directed by an MSer. We're excited about this direction and about how Shift.ms can help share the brilliant and authentic work created by MSers for MSers."

As with any Shift.ms film or collaboration, Shift.ms' primary goal is to help MSer's reduce their isolation and build confidence and knowledge to better manage their MS. Shift.ms do this through a messaging strategy of empathy not sympathy. Everyone has off days and can recognise the context and situation of the lead character in 'My Sclerosis'. We've all said we're fine when we are not and we all know that talking about the isolation, anxiety and vulnerability MS causes can often be extremely difficult. When it comes to talking about MS and any illness really, most people want to be helpful, but often don't know how to broach this difficult subject.

Watch 'MySclerosis' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl58eYFEJqU&
Join the social network for MSers at www.Shift.ms.

ENDS
Note to Editors
Shift.ms is the social network for people with multiple sclerosis. Founded by MSers, for MSers, the charity supports many thousands of recently diagnosed people across the world as they make sense of MS. It's independent and it's free.
Shift.ms was launched in 2009 by George Pepper and Freddie Yauner, following George's diagnosis with MS at the age of 22. Despite this, George found it difficult to find other MSers of his age, even online. This frustration led him to set up a website, where MSers could meet and share experiences.
Today, ten years after its launch, Shift.ms has progressed from being a small UK charity to one that is a global network of thousands of MSers.

For more information about 'My Sclerosis' or Shift.ms contact Sophie DiMauro at sophie@shift.ms

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Shift.ms is the social network for people with multiple sclerosis. Founded by MSers, for MSers, the charity supports many thousands of recently diagnosed people across the world as they make sense of MS. It's independent and it's free.
Shift.ms was launched in 2009 by George Pepper and Freddie Yauner, following George's diagnosis with MS at the age of 22. Despite this, George found it difficult to find other MSers of his age, even online. This frustration led him to set up a website, where MSers could meet and share experiences.
Today, ten years after its launch, Shift.ms has progressed from being a small UK charity to one that is a global network of thousands of MSers.

This release was published on openPR.