My MS Timeline
I didn’t even know what MS was 11 years ago. Which is ironic since it has probably been in my body since I was 12 or something.
Since the early 2000 MS has been slowly affecting me (see symptom time line).
I am very pleased that I’ve only recently become aware of this new lodger. Had I been aware from the start I many not have gone backpacking in 2004, gone to universities, lived independently and most of all lived without fear of the future.
One of the cruellest parts of MS is that people are generally diagnosed in the prime of their life – around 30 years old.
I was 31 when my GP delivered the news to me.
I’m just grateful that I was spared the news in my 20s.
Living with the illness since the diagnosis hasn’t stopped me from doing the usual 30 year old things – getting married, moving into a home and having children. And I’m so grateful of that. My Multiple Sclerosis is one of RRMS. Relapsing Remitting.
This means that I have periods of relapse or periods of ill health then will revert back to my usual MS state.
It has made life more difficult but certainly not impossible.
I now use a walking stick and, as time goes on, I have sometimes depended on disabled seating at gigs and disabled camping areas at festivals (which are actually fantastic!). These aids have just enabled me to continue doing the things I love.
I haven’t done very much travel since my diagnosis but this has been more to do with having young children. I look forward in the future to seeing lots more of the world, although at a more dignified pace!!
The Kids, Me and MS 