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Chiara Merritt Linden

@chiaraml.bsky.social
192 followers 148 following 120 posts

Multiple Sclerosis 💉 PPI/co-pro Applied Social Research PGR 📖 Third-party monitoring

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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
MS Research Hub @msresearchhub.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A 28-year-old army officer went to the Scottish Highlands in December 1822 to visit a relative he loved like a father. When he got there, the man was already dead. Shortly after the funeral his eyes started to fail. His diary is often called the earliest first-person account of probable MS 🧵
Handwritten diary page headed "1822. The Death of Strowan.— Effect upon my Eyes.—" It reads: "In the month of December 1822 I travelled from Ramsgate to the Highlands of Scotland for the purpose of passing some days with a Relation for whom I had the affection of a Son. On my arrival I found him dead.— I attended his funeral:— there being many persons present I struggled violently not to weep, I was however unable to prevent myself from so doing:— Shortly after the funeral I was obliged to have my letters read to me, and their answers written for me, as my eyes were". The words "violently not to weep" are underlined. Plate from Firth, The Case of Augustus d'Esté (1948). Wellcome Collection, CC BY 4.0.
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
MS Society UK @mssocietyuk.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
PIP should properly reflect the realities of living with MS. ✍️ Please sign and help make PIP fair for people with MS: campaigns.mssociety.org.uk/page/191…
campaigns.mssociety.org.uk
Sign the petition to Fix PIP for people with MS.
I've signed the petition to Fix PIP. People with MS shouldn't have to fight to access the support they're entitled to. Join me and sign today
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
If you have MS and are based in GB, please consider getting involved in improving the Navigate MS support app #multiplesclerosis #MS
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Luca Trenta @lucatrenta.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Turns out that if you are an old lady with a banner supporting Palestine, the government arrests you on charges of terrorism. If you are a masked white male thug bringing a national port to a standstill, the government does absolutely nothing, and the media covers it like some lads on a day out.
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
S C O T T @msandlymphomasux.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I was involved in the development of this app with @jenibaykoca.bsky.social and the team, including, but not limited to @chiaraml.bsky.social. If you live with #MS give it a whirl, it helped me. It could help you too 😁👍🏼
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Samira Shackle @samirashackle.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
I have to say, it's making me feel a little insane hearing commentators say Ed Miliband shouldn't be chancellor because of his "ideological zeal" for Net Zero, in a week where temperatures are so extreme that my kids are being sent home early every day and it's regularly 30 degrees inside my house
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Went out to vote before 9am this morning and skin feels like it has acid on it and ribcage is relentlessly spasming. How are fellow MSers managing? #uhthoff's #heatwave
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
theguardian.com
Disabled people with lifelong conditions facing ‘unnecessary’ Pip reassessments
‘Pointless’ reviews are wasting public money and ‘significantly harming’ the mental health of claimants, charity says
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
How have you been coping, @rrms-sucks.bsky.social ?
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Flare up+boiling temperatures have left me feeling very sorry for myself. Progress with my data collection has completely halted due to my cognitive issues. I wish I could be more resilient to these setbacks😞🫠 #MS #PhDSky
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
🤢 #uhthoff's #fuckMS
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Over two years since my last visit to the techno tube 🤞things are stable #mri #carpark #ms
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
#MS #MultipleSclerosis
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
#MSawareness #multiplesclerosis
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Prof G @gavingiovannoni.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
EMSP Conference 2026 - A must for people living with MS. Are you able to attend (24th-25th April)? Online places are still available => buff.ly/Z9k2ImL
gavingiovannoni.substack.com
EMSP Conference 2026
Are you able to attend (24th-25th April)? Online places are still available.
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
theguardian.com
Cuts to overseas aid will worsen shocks to global economy, David Miliband says
Exclusive: Former UK foreign secretary says poor and rich countries alike will be hit amid humanitarian crisis sparked by Iran war
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Recovery in the Bin @ritb.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Do contribute to this if you’ve been on the end of the increasing level of abuse people with blue badges receive. Govt & media hate campaigns against disabled people have real life consequences www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...?
theguardian.com
Blue badge holders: how are you treated by other members of the public when out?
Have you experienced reactions from other people when using your blue badge? We’d like to hear from you
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Navigate MS @navigatems.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
📢We are inviting people with MS to take part in Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) to help us ensure a new app is relevant, useful, and works as intended. Click the link below or message us directly if interested! forms.cloud.microsoft/e/REfPC4e5zQ
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Just finished The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. Best book I've read this year so far. Can anyone recommend any other fiction books set in Bletchley Park? #BookSky
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Lomelindi12 @lomelindi12.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Destitution for new disabled claimants will increase Destitution www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Next week’s disability cuts will make people destitute – and you might not understand how bad they are until it’s too late | Frances Ryan
If new claimants don’t meet strict criteria, they’ll lose half of the health element of universal credit. Don’t ignore that: in life’s lottery, that could easily be you, says Guardian columnist France...
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Do you work in the humanitarian/international development sector and have experience with third-party monitoring (TPM)? I’m researching how TPM works in practice and would greatly value insights from those who’ve worked in this area. 🔗 app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/stirling/tpm Thank you!
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
A great project to be involved in
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Are there any good #sociologyofemotions podcasts out there? I am new to the field and would love some recommendations #emosoc
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SGSSS @sgsss.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Our 5-part podcast series, When Disciplines Meet, has launched! 🎙️🎉 The series explores how collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches can be used to address complex societal challenges. 🔗 Listen on your favourite podcast platform, YouTube, or the SGSSS Website: www.sgsss.ac.uk/sgsss-podcas...
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Prof G @gavingiovannoni.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
#MS_Selfie Podcast - Treating mono: will it become a reality? Can you imagine a counterfactual of taking a 7-day course of antivirals to treat your mono and never having developed MS? This thought has consumed thousands of hours of my time. Please listen or read. Tx U => buff.ly/Zw59pHz
gavingiovannoni.substack.com
Treating mono: will it become a reality?
Can you imagine a counterfactual of taking a 7-day course of antivirals to treat your mono and never having developed MS? This thought has consumed thousands of hours of my time.
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Jeni Baykoca @jenibaykoca.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
Such an energising session!🤗 I'm so grateful for this amazing, thoughtful group. Your insights are truly shaping the app into something meaningful and practical for people living with MS. Every conversation moves us a step closer to creating tools that support, empower and make a real difference👊
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Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
I am sickened by the relentless demonisation of refugees. No refugee underfunded a school. No refugee closed a hospital. No refugee took away support from the sick and disabled. We need solutions not scapegoats. Stop blaming refugees and tax the rich instead!
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Christopher R. Matthews @drcrmatthews.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Someone who supports my work has paid for 3 books for me to give away! I'll double that - so I have *six* to give away!!! To enter just repost & comment below. I'll announce the winners on friday (1st Aug). Please do share, thanks. 🙏🤟🍻 More info on the book here - www.routledge.com/Doing-Good-S....
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Interesting stuff. I am quite glad I had a carefree teens and 20s and not sure I would have liked to know about my diagnosis earlier 🤷
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
SGSSS @sgsss.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Check it out! SGSSS student, Claire Robertson, has created a comic to highlight the hidden symptoms of MS and make information regarding the disease more approachable. See more in her interview with BBC News: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Read the comic: abdn.elsevierpure.com/en/publicati...
bbc.co.uk
Aberdeen student creates comic to highlight hidden MS symptoms
Claire Robertson at the University of Aberdeen created the comic as her father lives with the condition.
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
I started my doctorate remotely during the pandemic. I then got MS and my progress has been slow (thanks immunosuppression, wobbliness, fatigue). I am grateful for all the online resources I have access to but today I visited a university library for the first (!) time. Absolute bliss 📚 #MS #PhDSky
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Reposted by Chiara Merritt Linden
Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
The extra cost of being disabled in the UK will rise by almost 12% in five years, says Scope. That means having to find another £15k a year just to live at the same standard as non-disabled people. But MPs should cut PIP tomorrow, right? Seems logical and humane? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Extra cost of being disabled in UK to rise by almost 12% in five years, says Scope report
Estimate by disability charity published on eve of MPs’ vote on restricting welfare payments for new claimants
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
@francesryan.bsky.social putting it so well, as always open.spotify.com/episode/1EyZ...
open.spotify.com
“It’ll push disabled people into poverty”: Labour’s controversial welfare bill
Today in Focus · Episode
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Exciting things to come 🤞
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Does anyone else feel awful during and after their #ocrevus infusions? Mostly I see people saying they feel great afterwards so wondering why I never do... #MS
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Qualitative Applied Health Research Centre @quahrc.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
With the news this week on cuts to #DisabilityBenefits , we thought we'd share some #qualitative work on the impacts of welfare reform:
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Labour mollifies the rich, targets disabled people and claims moral justification. There isn’t any | Frances Ryan www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Labour mollifies the rich, targets disabled people and claims moral justification. There isn’t any | Frances Ryan
Ministers run away from a wealth tax and then concoct a punitive benefits system. They have made that choice and it’s immoral, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Pesky brainstem lesions 🤬 #ms multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/ms-lesions/#...
multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com
MS Lesions | Symptoms and Diagnosis
MS is defined by the presence of lesions in the nervous system. Learn more about MS lesions and view a picture of what brain lesions look like on an MRI.
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 24/02/2025
#MS #multiplesclerosis
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
MSers, what have you found helps with neuropathic pain? #multiplesclerosis #MS
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
Took a fall today, which I'm not happy about 🤬 Think I might need some light winter-suitable trainers. Any suggestions #MS crew?
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Anna Mazzola @annamazz.bsky.social · 12/01/2025
Four years since my son wrote the best opening to a mystery novel ever written.
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Ocrevusers, has anyone been told by their neuro that Ocrevus could be discontinued after 2 years of therapy? #ms #dmt
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Dr Chris Whitaker @christheowl.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
I’m doing research into the experiences of disabled people looking for employment. I’d be grateful if you could share this survey with people it might be of interest to. The survey is at: cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #Disability #AcademicSky Thank you
Information Sheet
Disability Employment: Perspectives of Disabled People
Before you decide to take part in this study it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. A member of the team can be contacted if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part.
Purpose of the study
The study aims to find out more about the experiences of disabled people when they are looking for employment. The study is focussed on people who are physically disabled. It is recognised that people may have multiple impairments.
Why have I been chosen?
You have been approached as you may have experiences that you wish to share on finding employment as a disabled person.
Do I have to take part?
Taking part is entirely voluntary and that refusal or withdrawal will involve no penalty or loss, now or in the future.
What do I have to do?
There will be a survey with questions on finding employment as a disabled person which will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Are there possible disadvantages and/or risks in taking part?
The survey asks about experiences of finding employment. It is understood that finding work may be a difficult process. The survey also asks you to talk about any experiences of discrimination that you may have had, and barriers that you may have experienced in finding work. Each question is entirely voluntary, and it is important to keep yourself safe if you choose to complete the survey. Only complete the questions that you feel able to.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
There are no intended benefits of taking part.Will my taking part in this project be kept confidential?
All data will be identified only by a code, with personal details kept in a locked file or secure computer with access only by the immediate research team.
The following link is general information about how the University uses personal data: https://www.information-
compliance.admin.cam.ac.uk/data-protection/research-participant-data.
What will happen to the results of the research project?
Results will be presented at conferences and written up in journals.
Results are normally presented in terms of groups of individuals. If any individual data are presented, the data will be totally anonymous, without any means of identifying the individuals involved. The data collected during the project might be used for additional or subsequent research.
The results of this study will be available in Spring 2025, and participants can request a copy of the research project.
Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is being organised by Dr Chris Whitaker for part of his Executive Masters in Business Administration. It does not have any external funding.
Contact for further information
The researcher, Chris Whitaker can be contacted at
cmw55@jbs.cam.ac.uk, or their supervisor j.martin@jbs.cam.ac.uk
at any time.
Additional sources of support
Further information and support with disability employment is available via the following links:
-ACAS- Disability at Work - https://www.acas.org.uk/disability-at-
work
-EHRC - Information on disability discrimination - https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-
2010/your-rights-under-equality-act-2010/disability-discrimination
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. #Booksky #BookChallenge Day 1
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Annual neuro appointment coming up. How to fit a year in the life of an MSer in to one appointment? I'm sure I'll waffle and not cover half the things I need to 🥱 #MS
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Ros Edwards @rosedwards.bsky.social · 25/09/2024
Let me know if you’d like to be added (or want to come out) go.bsky.app/7YAhtdD
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Chiara Merritt Linden @chiaraml.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Absolutely loved seeing Bright Places @sohotheatre.bsky.social – moved to laugh and cry in equal measure. Thank you Rae Mainwaring for writing something so honest, so relatable #MS
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Aaron Boster MD @aaronbostermd.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Risk of severe infections in PwMS on B cell depleting medications and role of monitoring IgG levels: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39616774/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Hypogammaglobulinemia and severe infections in Multiple Sclerosis patients on anti-CD20 agents: A multicentre study - PubMed
IgG and IgM HG occurred in a considerable proportion of patients. IgG HG increased the risk of SI, which were, nevertheless, relatively infrequent. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring i...
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