Who are we?
Talks With MS was founded by Terri-Louise Brown in 2016 after her own MS diagnosis. Motivated by a lack of visible representation and inclusive support, she built a platform rooted in community, lived experience, and advocacy, particularly for Black, Brown, and underrepresented individuals affected by MS. What began as a personal journey has grown into a registered charity and a powerful movement for inclusion, awareness, and change.
Our small but dedicated team includes individuals with both lived and professional experience, all committed to creating a more inclusive and representative MS community. We work daily to break down barriers, amplify unheard voices, and ensure that no one feels alone in their diagnosis.
What is ECTRIMS?
ECTRIMS stands for the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. It is the world’s largest and most influential annual conference focused on MS research, treatment, and care.
Bringing together thousands of clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups from around the globe, ECTRIMS serves as a key platform for sharing the latest advancements, shaping policy, and driving innovation in MS care. It plays a critical role in influencing how MS is understood and managed worldwide.
What is Project Elevate?
Project Elevate was born out of our partnership with ECTRIMS. This collaboration inspired us to ensure underrepresented voices from our community are not only present but actively shaping MS conversations.The vision is to bring the real, diverse stories of MS to the forefront globally. By sending community members to the world’s largest MS event, we aim to make sure the voices shaping the future of MS research, care, and policy reflect the communities most affected.
How we plan to spend the funds:
- Cover the travel, accommodation, accessibility needs, and event registration for 12-15 community members and staff attending the international MS event in Barcelona - ECTRIMS
- Media, photography, and storytelling to capture and share these experiences with the wider community
- Support 2 part-time charity worker for 4 months, helping us grow our reach and improve the services we offer locally and nationally
This project is not just about presence, it’s about long-term impact. Your support helps us change the narrative, one voice at a time.