The U of A Student Occupational Therapy Association is hosting an online panel discussion about multiple sclerosis at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27.

The goal of the panel is to increase awareness and understanding of how MS impacts people's daily lives, said TaraJane House, vice president of the student organization. House is pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy, a program that's offered jointly by the College of Education and Health Professions at the U of A and the College of Health Professions at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and UAMS's Northwest campus in Fayetteville.

The session will include stories about panelists' lived experiences with MS, the role of their families and support systems, and their experience navigating healthcare systems, House said. The panel will also include a question-and-answer session at the end.

"As future occupational therapists, we're interested in better understanding how someone's daily occupations, or activities, are impacted by conditions such as MS," House said. "We also hope to give future and present healthcare professionals a chance to see people living with MS as people first, instead of patients."

Channing Barker, a former broadcast journalist who now works in communications for Benton County government, helped locate panel members for the event. The occupational therapy graduate students met Barker when she served as a guest lecturer in one of their classes. Barker, a U of A alumna, shared her story of being diagnosed with MS at age 16.

Barker said occupational therapy has played a vital role in helping manage the disease.

"Occupational therapy consistently pops up in my life," she said. "My three closest friends all separately went into the practice. Thus, I've inadvertently received intelligent conversation and tips on improving my life with MS through their knowledge."

Barker said one of the most common symptoms of MS is fatigue and memory loss.

"These aren't the visible symptoms, but that's where OT has swooped in," she said, noting that her friends have shared disease-modifying therapies and exercise options and even helped with an anti-inflammatory diet.

"I see the OT practice transforming the lives of those of us living with chronic illness," Barker said. "That's an exciting space for both the medical field and patient advocates."

Although the panel is geared toward healthcare providers, the public is welcome to attend. Sign in at the link above to join the discussion when it begins.