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The Winner of the 2005 International Person with MS of the Year was Izabela Odrobińska from Poland.
Izabela Odrobińska
 Mrs. Izabela Odrobińska was born in Gdansk, Poland in 1968. She was diagnosed with MS in 1997. Soon after the diagnosis she suffered from fatigue, visual and hearing impairment and partial paralysis. Since 2001 she uses a wheelchair, hearing aid and optical aid. But that has not stopped her from fighting for people with MS. She has used all her skills and knowledge to fight for improvement of their quality of life. Since she has used a wheelchair she also fought very strongly for the rights of the disabled.
Although she was facing a lot of problems she graduated from postmaster studies in psychology at Warsaw University in 2004.
She uses her profound experience as a journalist (she worked in national newspapers) to raise the awareness and fight for MS rights.
Her most outstanding achievements include:
- Introducing the Polish MS Society into international arena, i.e. by participation in many different international conferences, meetings and events.
- Elaborating together with the top Polish neurologists the National Program of MS Treatment and also lobbying for its implementation in the Polish Ministry of Health.
- Obtaining a grant from the European MS Platform enabling the Polish MS Society to hire more staff and develop a new office.
- Creating cooperation which resulted in signing an agreement between other NGO’s regarding a declaration for the necessity to introduce Personal Assistant service in Poland.
- Developing and introducing in Warsaw and in some of local chapters of the Society an unique project titled “Personal Assistant for People with MS”.
- Initiation of a Coalition for MS Persons in Poland. The Coalition is a social movement whose aim is to introduce in Poland a unified system of financing the DMDs treatment for MS patients and to lobby a National Program for MS Treatment.
- Editing of “Guide for Personal Assistants”.
- Developing and introducing a project “Personal Assistant for Disabled Person”.
- Editing of many different publications and leaflets devoted to MS issue.
- Introducing MS issues to all kinds of media, press, television, radio and internet
Izabela was also a delegate to the Parliament of Disabled organized by European Disability Forum, representing Polish Disability Forum. She participated in the elections to European Parliament a representative of Green Party.
Between her many functions and seats you will find:
- Vice Chairman of the Warsaw Branch of the Polish MS Society – years 2000 – 2004.
- Vice President (2001-2005), and sine May 2005 the President of the Polish MS Society.
- Counselor for the Foundation “Aware Europe”, co-author of guide published by the Foundation.
- Member of the Expert Group in the Polish Disability Forum.
- Member of the Program Council of the Coalition for People with MS.
- Member of the Program Council of the Association “Integration” in a program “Warsaw without barriers”.
- Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Patient’s Rights.
Izabela is using every minute of her life to do something for others or to fight for a good cause. She is writing project, applications of different kinds, being interviewed, giving lectures, participating in press conferences and so on.
Izabela’s outstanding spirit and fighting attitude became and inspiration for many people, not only those with MS. It encouraged many ill and disabled persons to change there life, restore their willpower and involve in social life. It also inspired many healthy people to devote themselves with MS case and help others.
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