Children, young people and MS
MS affects the whole family and it can sometimes be difficult to discuss the changes that MS brings with children. For the children of people with MS, it can be difficult to explore their feelings about MS and how it affects them. The following resources can help them realise that they are not alone in the feelings that they may be experiencing at this challenging time of their lives.
MS Trust links
Young Person's Guide To MS
Written with the help of young teenagers, this book looks at the issues that effect someone growing up with a parent who has MS.
Read, order or download the Young Person's Guide To MS
Kids' Guide To MS
Written for 6-10 year olds who have a mum or dad with MS, the Kids' Guide is a book that children can read on their own or with a parent.
Read, order or download the Kids' Guide To MS
Talking with your kids about MS
When a parent is affected by MS, discussing MS with children may seem daunting. This book looks at the concerns parents may have, some of the things children may want to know and what other parents' experiences have been.
Read, order or download Talking with your kids about MS
Talking to children about MS
An Open Door article in which a mother with MS compares how she talks to her son with the way her own parents avoided talking about her mother's MS.
Other sources of information
Young MS website
A site from the MS Society for younger readers with a parent with multiple sclerosis. Has information for both teenagers and younger children
Keep Smyelin
A site for younger readers which mixes games and jokes with information about MS and children's own stories. Part of the American National MS Society website
Let's Talk MS
Websites provided by the Canadian MS Society
For information for young carers, see the Carers page