José Rodríguez i Rosa M. Camarero

"Most families have to deal with some disease, and we have ended up living with multiple sclerosis". José and his wife Rosa María had just started a family when she was diagnosed with MS. That was more than 35 years ago now.

José Rodríguez  says that what he would tell the relative of someone with multiple sclerosis, based on his own experience is that "you have to assimilate the situation, gradually adapt to what is coming, and seek out solutions that will improve your quality of life". "You have to have patience and hope," he adds.

They were the parents of a four-month-old boy when his wife, Rosa María Camarero, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Three years later they had a second child, a girl. "Our children have always lived with the disease, because I already had it when they were born," Rose explains.

"You have to know what you can cope with, gauge your own strength. I never say "no" outright, but if I can't manage something then I will also say it," Rosa points out. Over more than 35 years that she and her husband have been living with MS, they say they have learned that "there are no miracles, but there are some things that can help improve your quality of life in terms of how you deal with the fatigue or the problems associated with the disease".

Rosa goes to Cemcat and has been admitted there a few times for rehabilitation. "Between each stay you have to get into the routine of doing the exercises that they recommend, because otherwise you really miss out, and you can't stop moving!".

"First calm, then adaptation. If we look back over our lives, we see ourselves as fortunate. We believe that improvements will come as regards multiple sclerosis, because work is going on to combat the disease".