My name is James Hoyle and I have Multiple Sclerosis. I was diagnosed in 2008 when I woke up one morning with pins and needles in both my legs. I thought nothing of it and just that I had slept in a funny position. But the pins and needles were still there that evening. I knew there was something not right when I woke up the following day with the exact same sensation. I had never heard of MS before and I put the pins and needles down to a possible circulation issue. I left it a few days to see if the pins and needles would clear up on their own. But they did not. I saw 6 different GP’s before one of them referred me to see a Neurologist. I had a scan of my brain and spine that showed inflammations in the spinal cord and my brain, confirming to the neurologist that I did intact have Multiple Sclerosis.

There are three different types of MS and I have the type called relapsing remitting. This means that I get flare ups of the symptoms at random times and these flare ups will heighten the sensations that MS causes. In particular my left eye becomes blurry and I get head aches as a result, the pins and needles in my legs becomes worse, sometime to the point where the feeling is unbearable and my legs feel as though they are on fire. My arms can ache for absolutely no reason and there is nothing that I can take that will ease the pain.

Aside from these random flare ups I have day to day symptoms that have worsened since my initial diagnosis. As a result of the pins and needles my balance is almost none existent. I can only liken my balance to trying to walk after drinking 8 pints of beer. This has resulted in me falling over and injuring myself. I find it very difficult to go to the toilet what I would call ‘’normally’’ as in I cannot go on demand and I have to wait until my body tells me to go. This may not sound like a problem, but my body only tells me that I need to go when I NEED to go. I can’t lie, I have been caught out a few times because for this and it is becoming a huge factor that I have to think about before leaving the house. Because of the MS I also suffer with huge fatigue issues. Before the diagnosis I was very sporty and active. Now I can bearly walk 100 yards without needing to rest. This is especially frustrating as this really effects the things I can do with me 2 year old Son. Taking him out in the garden is a real test of my endurance and I am often exhausted after just 5 minutes. Let alone things in the future like playing football, his first sports day etc. just won’t be possible for me to physically participate in.

There is a treatment that can stop my MS and over time, can possibly reverse the damage that is causing the inflammations. It involves Stem Cell Treatment (HSCT) Here is a link that will explain the procedure in more detail. HSCT Procedure The treatment is available on the NHS but there are very strict guidlines as to what type and stage the MS is at to even be concidered, let alone approved. The only realistic way I have to get this procedure is to raise enough money so that I can fund it overseas. Here’s where I need your help. The littlest can and will go so far, it will help me and my family in so many ways. I am and would be very grateful for any donations from you to fund this treatment - Tash and I will be doing charity runs and events, basically whatever we can to get the funds together. If I could kindly ask for your help to get this out of my system and to go on to lead the life I once had.

We know this will take years but with support and hard work i have a chance of a life i once had and a chance right now is what is making me want to do this.

Thank you for you time, support and help

James