People treat me differently

Give us a bit of your backstory. How did you learn you had MS?

I was given an MRI for ‘puzzling‘ problems. I had a few weeks of not being able to feel temperatures in my leg (i.e I’d put my foot in bath water and for about a minute, I’d think the water was cold). This followed, what I thought, was slipped discs in my back.

How has multiple sclerosis changed life for you and your family?

Financially it has had a huge impact. Once diagnosed I gave up my job as a taxi driver as I finally understood why I was experiencing memory loss and why, on getting out of the car one day, I collapsed to the floor. I’ve found finding a suitable job extremely difficult as I cannot stand pain free for more than an hour or so, I cannot do heavy lifting and I have trouble communicating. Despite all of this, according to PIP, I don’t need much help as I can stand, walk and talk! The fact that I shy away from social situations, have lost my confidence, have problems with depression, bladder problems, vertigo and lethargy, is apparently not their concern. My husband works 7 days a week to keep ‘the wolves from the door ‘. When I was first diagnosed I was determined that it wouldn’t stop me from doing what I wanted to do... a few years on, I realised that it isn't my choice to make.

What is the best advice you would give to someone recently diagnosed?

Coming to terms with the diagnosis is paramount and although you may feel you don’t need help from others, don't try to cope with it alone like I did. Join your local MS group and meet others who have experienced exactly the same and can give you much-needed advice.