Every day doctors are faced with the challenge of providing a serious diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS affects approximately 400,000 people in the United States. According to the US National Library of Medicine, multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). It is a chronic, incurable and often disabling disease. The onset of the disease usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 45, with a clear prevalence among women. However, it has been increasingly recognized that MS can occur during childhood or adolescence. According to Disability A model of diversity approach in human services practice MS is an “acquired mobility-related disability”. MS is caused by damage to the protective covering surrounding nerve cells. When the nerve covering is damaged, nerve signals slow or stop, essentially disrupting the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate. Nerve damage is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's immune cells attack the nervous system. The exact cause is unknown. It is suggested that it could be genetics, a virus or the environment. “MS has an interesting environmental feature. It is rare in tropical climates and is very common in people of Western European descent who live in areas with temperatures above 400 north and below 400 south. (Mackelprang, 2009, pp. 186 Ch. 6)Popular Science published an article “Possible Link Found Between Bacterium And Multiple Sclerosis” which followed an October 2013 study in PLOS ONE that identified this pathogen for the first time in a human being; a young woman with MS. Mice were infected with a bacterium (Clostridium perfrigens type B) and showed brain damage sim... middle of paper..., so an understanding and supportive environment can help the process. Social workers or other counseling services help address the disorder and can be a resource for financial, health, and general information. The medical model approach to chronic health conditions is directed at addressing symptoms and psychosocial adjustments. As a social worker you would like to empower your client with a more social model approach, where people with chronic health conditions have control over their treatment decisions, help with the development of personal life skills, and address social implications . Management of MS is an ongoing process, starting with the very first symptoms and continuing throughout the course of the disease. It is essential that patient care involves collaboration and teamwork between the patient, social worker and healthcare professionals.