COLUMBUS, Ohio — Every year, World MS Day is celebrated across the world.

What You Need To Know

  • World MS Day raises awareness for those living with multiple sclerosis

  • MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system, making it difficult to do everyday activities

  • Tamara Collins and Jennifer Boesger are caregivers who've taken care of patients with MS

Tamara Collins packs up her supplies, making sure she’s ready to take care of a patient. 

“It’s helpful because it keeps you organized and you have them right at hand, especially like note pads and an ink pen. We have to take notes, sometimes we have to take the client's vitals, so we write down their vitals right down on the notepad,” Collins said.  

Collins became a caregiver a couple of years ago after being inspired by a family member. 

“I was inspired by my grandmother. My grandmother lived with us until she was 108 years old and I helped take care of her as a child and that’s what has inspired me. Just being able to give back to the elderly, they helped build our lives so I wanted to help give back.” 

She’s taken care of several patients in her career.

Collins recalls caring for a man who had Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system, which made it difficult to do everyday activities.

She said her patient had his share of issues adjusting. 

“When they can become peaceful with you and they know that you’re working for them, I can tell that he became secure with me. He started putting his guard down where he was more relaxed. In the beginning, he was more tense,” Collins said.  

Collins works for Griswold Home Care, a company that provides caregivers to those who need it. This location in Groveport is run by director Jennifer Boesger and her father.

As someone who’s taken care of MS patients as well, she said it can be difficult. 

“For the clients that I’ve worked with, when MS progresses, a lot of times transferring and bearing weight can be an issue. So with that, when I’ve helped clients with MS, I’ve encouraged as much independence of their own, but then helped them accomplish a transfer for instance,” Boesger said.  

And as we continue to learn more about the disease and helping those with it adjust, Collins hopes to continue putting smiles on the faces of those she’s caring for. 

“I believe when people aren’t able to do for themselves, it’s difficult on their mental (health). I believe that really affects them and it makes them have depression. So just bringing a smile to their face, helping them to know that we’re working to help them live a better quality of life,” Collins said.  ​