…TIMESLOT: Thusday 11 December 2025, 16:00 CEST
…MAIN TITLE: Mental health in Neuromuscular Disorders
…PRESENTERS: Dr. Tonje Elgsås (Frambu Resource center for rare diseases, Norway) & Arabela Acălinei (European Alliance of Neuromuscular Disorders Associations (EAMDA)
Tonje Elgsaas is a clinical psychologist (cand.psychol.) with a specialization in habilitation. She currently works at Frambu Resource center for rare diseases, and specifically with patients with neuromuscular diseases. She has worked previously at Oslo University Hospital, both in mental health services and with patients with different types of physical and intellectual disabilities.
Arabela Acălinei serves as the President of Neuro Move CMT Association in Romania and President of EAMDA – the European Alliance of Neuromuscular Disorders Associations. Since 2020, she is a Board Member of the European CMT Federation, serving as their Eastern Europe Ambassador. Furthermore, since 2024, she is a Board Member of EFNA – the European Federation of Neurological Associations. Arabela is a patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A disease and has 12 more people in her family with the same condition, her 2 sons included. Dealing with such a disease, ignited her passion for patient advocacy, particularly for individuals living with CMT and similar neuromuscular disorders. In her professional life, Arabela is a Romanian-English teacher, translator, and professional trainer. Her educational background also includes trainings in Project Management and Career Counseling for people with disabilities. Furthermore, Arabela Acălinei is a EURORDIS Winter and Summer School alumni, EUPATI fellow and a member of EURORDIS HTA Task Force. In July 2023, she graduated the 5th Neuromuscular Translational School, organized in Leiden, Netherlands by EURO-NMD and TREAT-NMD. Beyond her advocacy and professional pursuits, she is passionate about reading, learning, traveling, and connecting to people.