When Gurjit-Zulekha Sihota was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she felt completely alone.

She knew nothing about the illness and found there was little understanding of it in the Asian community.

Now, three years on, she has played a key part in setting up a national support group for Asian people with the illness, their carers, friends and family, which is set to be launched later this year.

Miss Sihota, 34, of Great Horton, said the problems faced by Asian sufferers were far different to their white counterparts, as illness was not generally discussed in the community.

The new group Raising Asian Awareness of Multiple Sclerosis aimed to educate people about the condition which had left her unable to work, constantly tired and frustrated that she was no longer able to do things she once could.

She had suffered a major relapse a month ago and currently needed help from sticks to get about.

Already word had spread informally about the group and there were now people across the country getting involved to try to end a culture of suffering in silence.

"The taboos must be faced and, as with most illnesses, Asians seem very good at hiding away as though it's a sin and not be discussed," she said.

"When I was diagnosed, I did feel alone and not able to talk to other people with the same problems.

"The neurologist told me it wasn't common in Asian people but there are a lot of people out there with it, so it's not a question of you being on your own.

"People need to know what it is to try and educate the community in just the same way as we educated ourselves.

"We hope the support group will change attitudes and help to put fun and dignity back into the lives of Asian people with MS, and also their carers, as they face difficulties too."

Mother-of-two Sofia Anwar, 30, of Heaton, said she faced similar problems, feeling isolated in the community, when she was diagnosed with the condition ten years ago - although she believes she had suffered from the condition since she was about 15.

"In a way it was a relief because it answered so many questions," she said. "Very, very slowly it has deteriorated but I am now in the third year of a degree, which I hope will help get me a job, so I am trying to get my life back.

"I have only recently met other people with MS and before that I felt I was the only one and there was nobody else. Other people do have it but it is kept hidden and, in a way, it is a stigma for people.

"A lot more people need to know what MS is and should be more open about it but it is very difficult even at the best of times."

A meeting for northern members of the group set up with support from the Multiple Sclerosis Society will be held in the offices of estate agent City and Provincial in All Saints Road, Bradford, on Sunday, October 18 at 1pm. For further details call 0958 365116.

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