Luigi Azzarone received his MS diagnosis at just 17 years old — an experience that not only reshaped his daily life but also sparked his journey into MS advocacy and scientific research.
In this podcast episode, he shares how the question “What’s happening in my body?” led to a deep interest in neuroimmunology. Today, Luigi works in pharmaceutical research, studies neuroscience, and speaks up for the rights of young people with chronic conditions — even at the European Parliament.
🎧 In Episode #120: From MS to Advocacy, we talk about life with MS, scientific curiosity, political participation, and what it takes to break down barriers — not only architectural ones, but also societal ones.
💻 You’ll find the full interview in the blog article, divided into thematic sections so you can jump straight to the topics that matter most to you.
I hope this conversation offers you new perspectives, encouragement, and maybe even a spark to get involved in your own way.
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More InformationTable of Contents
🎙 Introduction: From Diagnosis to Purpose
Can you briefly introduce yourself – your background, your connection to MS, and your current studies in neuroscience?
Luigi Azzarone: I’m Luigi Azzarone, a young neuroscientist living with MS. I was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago and since than I decided to do something meaningful, not only for my situation, but for anyone was going through what I was experiencing. So, at that time I was in the last year of high school and I decided that I would become a neuroscientist working in first line for MS. After several years now, I can say I did it!
At present, I’m working on a small pharma company on a new approach for the development of a new disease modifying treatment for MS. Here, I had the chance to get in touch with other fields that support drug development in terms of access, especially. So, I gained a master in Regulatory Affairs and now I’m also into Market Access and negotiations with Regulatory Agencies and Payers. As you may see, I’m trying to develop a professional profile with a 360° view on what it needs to find something interesting in the laboratory and then bring it out there to the patients.
🧠 Living with MS and Pursuing Neuroscience
How has living with a neurodegenerative condition shaped your passion for researching autoimmune diseases?
Luigi Azzarone: Well, in my case it all started with a lot of motivation. I knew I was studying something that was concrete, because I was experiencing it. And that motivation was a strength that made me go through hard times. At the same time, I developed a genuine curiosity for the immune system. I found interesting how it was possible that something that was supposed to protect me, was actually destroying me. I’ve always found that aspect fascinating, in a kind of way. I guess that was the time when motivation turned into passion.
🇪🇺 Speaking at the European Parliament
You recently spoke at the European Parliament representing young people with MS. What was that experience like for you personally?
Luigi Azzarone: It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I had this chance thanks to Young People’s Network, the young group of advocates of European Multiple Sclerosis Platform. Since I’m a member, there was this opportunity for the European Disability Forum workshop on housing at the European Parliament in the context of European Youth Event in Strasbourg. When I was there, looking to the people in the crowd with different disabilities, I felt that responsabilty in front all of them. It was very powerful.
What were the key messages you wanted to share with policymakers and other young European advocates?
Luigi Azzarone: The main messages that I wanted to be clear is that accessabilty and affordability for a disable person are critical issues. These two aspects go hand in hand. It is for housing, but also in many other aspect of life. There is the need of doing something practical about it, without just saying nice words and that’s it.
🏠 The Housing Crisis for Young People with Disabilities
What are the biggest barriers young people with disabilities face when it comes to finding accessible and affordable housing?
Luigi Azzarone: I think that from one side it is difficult to find an accessible house, simply because there are just few houses that have these features. Especially if you think that 69% of people with disabilities live in cities or industrial areas, rather than rural areas. The reason behind this data is that typically in industrial areas there are new buildings and houses. On the other side, rural areas may have older solutions and maybe even to much far away from the nearest hospital. These things have huge impact.
But another reality is even that affordable houses, so mainly new houses, are too much expensive. You can’t simply afford them. So, unless you are living with your parents (and most people with disabilities do) and they are willing to rethink the house to make it accessible, it gets very complicated.
Why is the lack of information such a critical issue, and how can awareness campaigns help?
Luigi Azzarone: Indeed, it is one thing that came out from data presented during the panel, but to be true also from the audiance. A lot of people with disabilities don’t have enough information from their local administrations about how they can change their housing situation. You may also imagine that some diabilities just happen during life. So, one day you are a completely normal person and the day after you need an accessible house. This is the case of many diseases, like Multiple Sclerosis. So the question is: what am I going to do now? There are incentives? Am I able to afford this change?
🔧 Practical Solutions for Accessible Living
What practical solutions or policy changes did you and others propose at the event to improve the housing situation?
Luigi Azzarone: One thing that emerged organically among us in the panel, was to have a certain certification for houses that are accessible. In addition, I added a possible incentive from Europe through the constitution of a dedicated fund. This fund can be thought for EU citizens that want to sell their “certified house” for example or for a rent. In this way this fund can cover one part of the cost directly to thw house owner in a way that the person with disability can afford the house in a discounted cost.
You mentioned transitioning existing buildings into accessible homes — can you share more on how this could work in practice?
Luigi Azzarone: Exactly. This is one easy way, if you are lucky enough to already owe an house. So, especially of your disability occurs all of a sudden, you may need extra-space and adapted bathroom for example. It’s cheaper to adapt your house than searching for a new one that is accessible. Moreover, this scenario is important for rural houses. We give for granted that people want to live in industrial cities. But I think therr are a lot of people that would rather prefer to stay or go in rural areas. In these situations, it’s necessary to shape the “old building “ with features that fit the necessity of the disability. Even for this aspect, european funds could be of help.
👥 Youth Participation and Inclusion
How did it feel to be part of a European Youth Event discussing such important issues like inclusion, sustainability, and equality?
Luigi Azzarone: It was like really being part of a union. I mean, when we hear about these hot topics in TV, it really feels like it’s something that we can’t do much about it – like everything it’s on polititians hands. But when you actually meet other europeans coming from different cultures and realities and you have these conversations.. It’s a lot of learning about what’s outside with different point of views. I guess this is what EU is all about, different views, different necessities that need to converge into common decisions.
What would you say to young people with MS or other chronic conditions who feel like their voice doesn’t matter?
Luigi Azzarone: It may seem a commonplace, but every voice metters. And at that purpose I think that the most you feel unheard or kept aside, the most you have to fight and yell for it so that people hear and understand your necessities.
🔬 Researcher and Patient: Balancing Two Roles
You're studying neuroscience while living with MS — that’s incredibly powerful. How do you balance these two roles: the researcher and the patient?
Luigi Azzarone: Actually I’ve made a poster about it at the annual EMSP conferenfe this year in Prague. It’s very tricky because matching the researcher lifestyle with my personal needs as a patients is a continuous challenge. From one side through my work I’m dedicating my time for me and for who lives with MS. But at the same time, my body givese sings that I have to learn so I have to learn when it’s time to stop and maybe rest or have physical exercise.
What do you hope your research might contribute to the future of autoimmune disease treatment?
Luigi Azzarone: I really hope so. My research starts from my need, therefore a need of a patient. It’s all about having a new therapy that arrest the disease progression by leaving your immune system functional and still active if you have any kind of infections.
⚡ Quickfire Q&A
Complete the sentence: "For me, multiple sclerosis is...."
Luigi Azzarone: …a chain.
Which website can you recommend for people living with MS?
Luigi Azzarone: In Italy we have AISM, which is the national society. I’d even recommend to check EMSP, MS international federation and National MS Society.
What development would you like to see in the field of multiple sclerosis in the next 5 years?
Luigi Azzarone: I’d like to see new tools for early detection of MS and new treatment options for progressive forms.
💬 Final Reflections and Advice
If you could change one thing in how society supports young people with disabilities — what would it be?
Luigi Azzarone: The way information are delivered.
What message of encouragement would you give to others in the MS community who want to make their voices heard?
Luigi Azzarone: Connect and talk. Don’t underestimate yourself, cause everyone is unique in its own way and has its peculiar necessities.
How and where can interested people find you online?
Luigi Azzarone: I’m on LinkedIn or Instagram if you prefer.
See you soon and try to make the best out of your life,
Nele
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