On a cool spring morning in Minneapolis, you might see someone walking around Bde Maka Ska with a cane. You might see a parent pausing on a park bench while their child runs ahead. You might see a colleague leave work early, quietly.
What you may not see is multiple sclerosis.
MS affects far more than what is visible. And while MS is not yet curable, increasing understanding and community support can change what living with MS looks like across the Twin Cities.
Nearly one million people in the United States live with multiple sclerosis, a chronic and often unpredictable disease of the central nervous system.
According to the National MS Society, Minnesota has one of the highest rates of MS in the country, with prevalence significantly above the national average.¹
This is not just a national issue. It is local. It is here.
MS Is More Than a Mobility Issue
When many people hear “MS,” they think of difficulty walking. While mobility challenges can be part of the disease, MS can also affect:
- Vision
- Memory and concentration
- Energy levels
- Mood and mental health
- Sensation, including numbness or tingling
- Balance and coordination
Many symptoms are invisible. Someone may look healthy while experiencing intense fatigue, brain fog, or chronic pain.
That invisibility often leads to misunderstanding. It can leave people feeling unseen, unheard, and unsupported.
Test your knowledge of this complex, often misunderstood disease.
A Local Story: Every Step Is a Gift
For Julie Serlin, MS has been part of her life for more than two decades.
When Julie moved from Milwaukee to Minneapolis in 2002, she was already living with an MS diagnosis. Finding the right care was not about convenience. It was about trust.
“I wanted what I didn’t have before,” Julie said. “My previous neurologist was very direct and cold. Here at MCN, it was different. They listened. They took time to understand me. I never felt rushed.”
She knew this was a lifelong condition. She needed a neurologist she could commit to long term.
“When I was diagnosed, they told me I might be in a wheelchair within ten years,” Julie shared.
“That was more than 20 years ago. I’m thankful for the physicians who listened and helped me find treatments that work for me.”
Today, she is still walking. Still living fully. Still actively participating in her care.
Julie became the first patient in Minnesota to try a new MS therapy offered at MCN in 2019.
“My goal isn’t a cure. It’s stability. And if I can stay stable, that’s a gift.”
Her story reminds us that MS is not just a diagnosis. It is resilience, advocacy, innovation, and partnership between patient and physician.
You can read and listen to Julie’s full story here:
👉 https://minneapolisclinic.com/blog-be-seen-sooner-patient-story/
Why Awareness Matters in Minnesota
Minnesota’s higher MS prevalence means awareness is not optional. It is essential.
When communities understand MS:
- Employers create flexibility
- Families offer patience
- Friends show up consistently
- Earlier diagnosis becomes possible
- Stigma decreases
Awareness builds empathy. Empathy strengthens communities.
Living with MS requires ongoing neurologic care, emotional support, access to evolving treatments, and strong community connections. Research, improved therapies, and compassionate care all make a measurable difference.
MS Specialists Serving the Twin Cities Community
At Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology, our Multiple Sclerosis specialists are deeply committed to advancing care, research, and support for patients across the Twin Cities.
Our MS-focused neurologists include:
These physicians not only provide specialized MS care but are also actively involved in supporting the MS community through education, innovation, and events like the upcoming MS Walk.
Our commitment to the MS community extends beyond the clinic walls — including our role as Presenting Sponsor of the MS Walk on May 3rd.
Join Us at the MS Walk on May 3
Awareness leads to action.
Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the MS Walk on May 3, 2026. This event brings together patients, families, caregivers, and supporters from across the Twin Cities community to raise awareness and advance research.
When we walk, we walk for patients like Julie.
We walk for progress.
We walk for a future without MS.
We invite you to join us, support a team, or learn more about how this event strengthens our local MS community.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Minnehaha Falls Park
Site Opens: 8:00 AM / Walk Begins: 10:00 AM
Scan the QR code below to register or donate!
In-person and virtual participant options
Supporting People Living With MS
While there is not yet a cure for MS, there is progress. There are treatment advances. There is innovation. There is hope.
At Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology, our MS specialists provide comprehensive care focused on stability, long-term planning, and quality of life.
If you or someone you love is experiencing neurologic symptoms or navigating an MS diagnosis, you do not have to do it alone.
No referral needed. You don’t need a referral to schedule care at any of our five Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology locations.
👉 https://minneapolisclinic.com/appointments
To learn more about MS Awareness Month and explore additional stories, visit:
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/awareness
Together, we can make MS visible and move closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis.
Citation
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS Prevalence and Demographics Report. (Latest available data confirms Minnesota has one of the highest MS prevalence rates in the U.S.)
