Having thankfully never needed the NHS, other than for the odd injury growing up, I considered myself a relatively healthy individual. An episode of Optic Neuritis last summer changed my opinion on that. Since then I've had; a couple of MRI scans, a lumbar puncture, my first ever blood test, followed by many more blood tests. Being a needle-phobe, not one of those appealed to me, but I knew that they were necessary. As the results of each test slowly came back, most signs pointed the Neurologist to a very likely diagnosis of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS), expect for the elevated presence of a particular antibody in my blood which didn't completely fit the typical MS picture. A few more blood tests and a meeting with a Rheumatologist confirmed that the Neurologists diagnosis of RRMS still stood, and that they could push ahead with the Disease Modifying Therapy that they had planned.

This diagnosis has really opened my eyes and made me never want to take my health for granted again. Having dug my bike out of storage at the end of April, where it has sat gathering dust since it's last ride 7 years ago, I aim to cycle at least 250 miles this May.

Having historically known next to nothing about MS, in these early days I have already found the articles and factsheets available on the MS Society website extremely useful. Inevitably this will be a Charity that will provide me with support over my lifetime.

Please give what you can, every little helps, and even just £2.50 (1p/mile) would be greatly appreciated and would motivate me to exceed this target.

Thank you.