The Tinerfeña Multiple Sclerosis Association (ATEM) is a private nonprofit organization born in 1995 thanks to patients with multiple sclerosis and their families because they see the need to fight for the group of people affected.
In Canary Islandsthere are approximately 4500 cases between the province of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The objectives that we pursue are to give information to patients with multiple sclerosis and their relatives in order to learn more about the disease, what are the symptoms, possible complications and treatments. In addition, we seek to strengthen the means of communication between patients and support systems to create greater integration in society and awareness that is very important. We also try to talk with the public administrations and with the general public in order to achieve the benefits of rehabilitative treatments for us because it is fundamental to have from the beginning support for this rehabilitation that will prevent us from getting worse over time.
Then we also support groups of patients with multiple sclerosis and all similar neurological diseases and invite them to come to our association. ATEM belongs to the Spanish Multiple Sclerosis Association (AEDEM COCEMFE).
Many of the needs that we have would be covered by the volunteering that is fundamental for us because we have many activities in which we have to do a lot of effort and take care of the whole group. Therefore, volunteering is one of our pillars.
How is the Tenerife Multiple Sclerosis Association financed?
Our means of financing are both public and private. Among the public we have the town councils and the councils and in the private ones we have Caixa Foundation, Caja Canarias Foundation, Santander Bank, etc. And then we have those donations from the general public that want to help and we also have the crowdfunding campaigns that we have been presenting for two years. These campaigns have provided us with much more material in the center and in the latter try to repair our adapted vehicle. It is essential to have this type of financing because the association could not exist without them since we could not maintain our staff either.
What services can a person find who goes to ATEM?
Among the services we provide we have six programs. We have a comprehensive program where we have advice, guidance, integration and insertion in the workplace or to get help. We have psychosocial support for both family members and those affected, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, cognitive stimulation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, education, home help and all adapted transportation because many of them cannot come on their own feet. In these cases they are offered the service of picking them up at home and bringing them back when they finish their rehabilitation therapies.
Then we have a program called "Caring for the caregiver" which for us is fundamental also because without the caregiver we could not be either. Guidance, courses and support are offered both therapeutic and psychosocial.
On the other hand, we have a leisure and free time program to create a better reintegration so that we can integrate into the world and make our day-to-day life a little different. We also have a volunteer program that is essential for us as we see different people and another way of looking at things.
In addition, we have an awareness program that we do through information tables, talks, go to radios, media and other types of programs.
Finally, we have a training program for both our technical staff and the staff of the volunteer, the caregiver or anyone who wants to approach the association.
