The meeting with AISM (Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla), the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association, was carefully planned by Roberto Gola, our AISM representative who offered us the chance to join their volunteers and help patients. Many of the IIT employees wanted to try this, so we split into groups of two. Each group had a different assignment, such as keeping a nice old lady company, going to the doctors with a young man or helping with everyday shopping.

These simple actions are very difficult for patients affected by sclerosis, whose access to facilities is limited by architectural or administrational obstacles.

Everything went smoothly and I am sure that most of us went home having learnt an important lesson about humanity and humility. Because of our small contribution we saw for one day the efforts and dedication that volunteers and associations put into their projects.

It is surprising to find niches of happiness, or even joy, when dealing with suffering. Magical things can happen when real human relationships meet goodwill. The best thing is that any and all of us can contribute to it!

Please note that some activities do not have photos, this was due to privacy laws which forbid us taking pictures.