We do not know what the results of the research will show, but until trials take place people impacted by MS will feel as though they are being ignored or even discriminated against.

Over the years many aetiological theories have been put forward to explain the processes involved in the development of MS symptoms. The term MS (from Sclérose Multiple described by Charcot in 1848) means multiple scarring and merely describes the lesions observed in the central nervous system. Although, actually, the term refers only to a set of symptoms, over time it has come to be seen as an actual disease with no known cause.

Despite original pathology studies dating back some 160 years, pointing towards a vascular origin (a detailed time line of the vascular theory is available here) somehow the focus has changed direction towards neurological, immunological, genetic and environmental theories. However, to quote Prof David Hubbard of the Hubbard Foundation (USA):

"the last 40 years of intervention have made no progress at all."

Despite the above, the involvement of CCSVI in MS aetiology is hotly disputed and even derided by some quarters of the medical community.

Many people labelled with MS think that the CCSVI hypothesis is a significant discovery that represents a considerable leap forward in our understanding of this debilitating condition. Simply put, CCSVI makes a great deal of sense and it resonates very strongly with a sizeable proportion of those affected. This is perhaps more than can be said of some of the other more established theories. For instance, whilst few can argue against MS symptoms having an auto-immune component, the theory of auto-immunity on its own falls woefully short of being the panacea that explains everything that occurs.

To date, the MS jigsaw has certainly shown itself to be a formidable challenge. But in CCSVI, Prof Paulo Zamboni has undoubtedly found a vital piece. The potential impact that his exciting re-discovery will have on our understanding of the collection of symptoms we call MS and the way this will be diagnosed and treated, will not be fully known until more research has been concluded. However, galvanising support for research into areas that don't directly align in some way with the blinkered belief that MS is strictly a Neurological condition, is easier said than done. Therefore, one of our core objectives is to see further research conducted into CCSVI.

Another objective is to rectify the inequality of treatment for vascular conditions. At present people labelled with MS are unlikely to receive treatment for or even investigation of the vascular condition described above, yet other people who do not have the MS label are treated daily for similar vascular conditions. For example people undergoing dialysis are routinely treated for stenosed (collapsed or blocked) jugulars. Here is the story of one person who had to be treated by balloon angioplasty to be able to receive dialysis. She awoke from her coma liberated from her MS symptoms. To further our cause we are planning to apply for several judicial reviews to highlight the injustice that this refusal to treat vascular problems in people with the MS label represents.

Regardless of the fact that the NHS in the UK has independent systems for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and regardless of the fact that certain MS charities are based around regional and local branches, we at MS-CCSVI-UK think differently. We believe that our collective voices are heard more clearly when we all speak together as one voice. Therefore, MS-CCSVI-UK represents people impacted by MS symptoms and even the MS label itself, all across the country. We invite everyone in the UK to speak along with us to enable those voices to be heard. Information posted both on this website and by our Facebook group is relevant to everyone.