Professor Jelinek: A journey of hope and health 25 years on

Professor George Jelinek's story - 25 years on

Professor Jelinek’s traumatic diagnosis

Today, 70-year-old Professor George Jelinek is a picture of health. Yet 25 years ago, he received a traumatic diagnosis: multiple sclerosis (MS). The potential severity of this condition was underscored by his mother’s suicide, a result of her struggles with her MS symptoms. 

Undeterred by his diagnosis and motivated by his mother’s death, Professor Jelinek embarked on a mission to complete an exhaustive review of the vast scientific research on MS. By consolidating the available research, he sought to uncover strategies to maximise his chances of being healthy despite his MS. His efforts provided him with valuable insights into managing the condition, which contributed to his health and that of the broader MS community.

Creating the Overcoming MS Program

Driven by his newfound understanding and his commitment to defy the odds, Professor Jelinek created the “Overcoming MS Program”. This program, which he has followed for the past 25 years, aims to maximise people’s chances of living well with MS. He structured the programme around seven lifestyle pillars, including diet, exercise, stress management, and adequate Vitamin D intake, all supplemented by medication as needed. As a healthcare professional, Professor Jelinek encouraged people to consult with healthcare providers. He championed the integration of these lifestyle changes with conventional medical advice, offering a holistic approach to managing MS.

Supporting people with MS worldwide

Named after Professor Jelinek’s first book, ‘Overcoming MS’ is a charity dedicated to helping people with MS worldwide.  We champion the mental and physical well-being of anyone living with multiple sclerosis. We foster a vibrant community, where people diagnosed with MS can connect and share experiences with other like-minded individuals to optimise their health together. This collective journey is fuelled by the understanding that the course of multiple sclerosis can be positively influenced, with some even experiencing remission of specific symptoms, igniting hope and solidarity within the community.

Many profound impacts of the Program are shared through the stories from the community. One individual shared: “Finding the Overcoming MS Program is like finding hope. This can be life-changing, particularly when struggling with the challenges that follow diagnosis.”

What’s more, as well as benefiting people with MS, the Program’s pillars – diet, exercise, stress management and vitamin D intake – not only support people with MS but also align with universal health guidelines. They serve to prevent other prevalent conditions and position the Overcoming MS Program as providing health for all.

Access Prof Jelinek's journals

The initial journal used by George Jelinek

In the early years following his diagnosis, Professor Jelinek turned to journaling to record his thoughts and reflections. By carefully documenting his progress, he not only tracked his journey but also found a powerful tool to support his mental well-being.

Now, 25 years on, Professor Jelinek is sharing his journals to help others navigate the challenges of MS and to give his support to Overcoming MS, the charity. He wants everyone to realise that whatever challenges they experience, there is still hope.

To be inspired, we invite you to listen to Professor Jelinek reading from his journals, a testament to the enduring power of hope, Visit overcomingms.org/journals to share his journey.

A quote from inside George’s journal