Judith Casal Adapts Well After MS Forces Exit from General Council

Judith Casal, the former General Council member who left office nearly five months ago due to the progression of her multiple sclerosis, says she is adapting well to a new phase focused on her health and family.

Casal's final intervention in the General Council plenary came on September 11, with her official departure on September 30. Diagnosed eight years ago, she describes facing the condition optimistically, measuring her situation against those worse off. Recent medical tests show the disease's advancement has slowed, allowing her to prioritise physical rehabilitation and cognitive stimulation through reading.

Her daily routine now centres on morning exercise, rehabilitation sessions three times a week in Escaldes-Engordany, and reading—balancing light crime novels with denser philosophy texts, as recommended by her neurologists. Evenings involve rest, series, and family time. "I'm satisfied with the work done and having contributed a more progressive bias to the country's dynamics, but now it's time to take care of myself," she said.

The decision to step down crystallised a year ago during a check-up at Barcelona's Clínic hospital, where doctors advised wheelchair use due to frequent falls—two or three weekly. By May, persistent fatigue and pain prompted discussions with her neurologist, who urged her to ease the strain on her body. After a June immunosuppressant treatment, she informed the syndics and head of government, allowing a gradual handover.

Casal, who joined the Social Democratic Party in 2009 and served six years in office, expected the transition to be harder but credits her resilience. Her emotional farewell surprised her; she felt deeply supported across parties and by the public, countering her imposter syndrome. She never let the illness derail duties except during post-treatment recovery, though leading the parliamentary group intensified the physical toll.

Looking back, she harbours no regrets about her 2023 candidacy, viewing her tenure—including advocacy for abortion rights, euthanasia, public healthcare, and disability protections—as formative. Now 50, she embraces sport and self-care, unburdened by politics save for informal pension reform input. "When my dignity is affected enough that I can't live with dignity, I won't want any more," she reflected on her limits.