Our Annual General Meeting of MSSI – Chennai Chapter was held on July 26th 2025, at YWCA of Madras International Guest House.
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting on September 28, 2024, were circulated and passed. It was proposed by Mrs. Dolly Khanna and seconded by Ms. Tara Rao.
The number present was 74 members.
Mrs.Ann Gonsalvez – Hon.Secretary welcomed the gathering. The Secretary’s report for the year April 1, 2024, to March 31st 2025, was presented by way of a PowerPoint Presentation (PPT).
The main aim of the society was to help the MS person lead “Quality of Life” for which the society is providing reimbursement of Medical Bills for purchase of medicines/injections, doctor’s consultation fees, provision of Physiotherapy to 19 MS persons, provision of diapers & underpads to 18 MS persons, rehabilitation allowance to 12/13 MS persons of Rs.3000/- per month.
Our monthly “Face to Face” meetings being held by the Chapter every month, was to bring together our MS persons with the aim of socialization, learning new treatments protocols, enhancement of diet as also to make known the need for a disability card/UDID card/pension etc.
The Balance Sheet for the financial year 2024 – 2025 was presented by PTT and explained by Mr.Ashokan, our Chairperson. The audited accounts for the said year was passed. Proposed by Mr.D.Sivakumar and seconded by Mrs.Chitra Ramachandran.
The highlight of the evening was two very eventful phases:
- Honouring our 1st MS Brain Donor, Miss.Ponnammal, age 38, who passed away on 6th July 2025. Her brain has been donated to the Brain Centre, IIT Madras, for research into the cause of Multiple Sclerosis.
The father & mother of Miss. Ponnammal were honoured by the draping of a shawl on each of them. The father Mr.Ramasubramanian, spoke a few words on how difficult it was to make a decision to donate the brain, but ultimately, their decision was to give it, knowing that there is no cure for MS, as the cause is not known, inspite of 150 years of Research. He thanked the society for all the help the received over the last 12 years. - The 15-minute film “Battlers with Broken Wings” was played, and it touched on the various lives of persons who have MS and how, each one has tried to live life to the fullest, in spite of MS.
The meeting also featured discussions on alternative therapies, notably Magneto biology, as a supportive treatment modality for MS. Mr. Bharath Reddy, a person with MS, shared his personal and encouraging experiences with the therapy, noting improvements in his cognitive skills and energy levels.
The AGM concluded over High Tea, offering an opportunity for members to connect informally and share their journeys. The meeting was attended by nearly 70 members with PwMS, and their caregivers, committee members, and well-wishers. The meeting ended with a request to all members to consider Brain donation for the noble cause of Research.
