This is Jill's story.

Eleven years ago, KMSTC Member Jill noticed her left side getting weaker, then suddenly she lost the sight in her left eye. “I was absolutely terrified,” she recalls. “I couldn’t work out what was going on.”

Jill was told she had suffered a small stroke and was given exercises and support to help her regain her mobility. “I would go out for walks and do exercises, but I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting any better.” Then, a month later, in December 2005, she started to experience further problems. After another MRI scan and more blood tests, Jill was told she may have multiple sclerosis (MS).

In March 2006, Jill was given an official diagnosis – relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis – which is characterised by distinct attacks of symptoms followed by a period of recovery. “I was really scared, as the future is so uncertain for people with MS due to everybody’s symptoms being so different." Jill was prescribed medication to help with the pain and spasms, but her mobility gradually declined. “Although thankfully my eyesight returned after three months, each month something else seemed to get a little bit worse,” she explains. “My upper body strength deteriorated, then my walking and fatigue. "I started walking with two sticks, getting vertigo and having pain in my leg all the time."

In 2007, Jill began going to the Kent MS Therapy Centre. “The manager, Karen, made me feel so welcome and gave me lots of advice, and the members were a joy to be around – they are incredibly positive people and we all learn a lot from each other. I’ve made some lovely friends  “At first I was reluctant to try out the hydrotherapy, but I had a trial session and was hooked. I love being able to move my limbs around more freely and felt a great sense of achievement, and people comment on how much my walking has improved.”

If you would like to support the Kent MS Therapy Centre this MS Awareness Week, please make a donation.