Dr. Jennifer Hughes, an associate professor of social work at Bluffton University, will discuss the caregiving experience in cases of multiple sclerosis during a campus colloquium at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19.

The presentation, “Driving Myself to the Hospital to Give Birth and Other Stories of Multiple Sclerosis Care,” is free and open to the public in Stutzman Lecture Hall in Centennial Hall.

Hughes, also the director of Bluffton’s social work program, explored multiple sclerosis caregiving in her doctoral dissertation research. She interviewed 10 couples about care responsibilities and support systems, to see how gender influenced either giving or receiving care. Her research also examined care needs and the role of social support in the care experience.

Hughes will reflect upon personal experiences and share stories from patients and caregivers who are living with multiple sclerosis and participated in her study.