Every week 135 lives change in an instant with an MS diagnosis – along with the lives of their families, friends and loved ones.

In June this year I was one of those people. It's a shock, it's scary, it's a rollercoaster of emotions for you and your family. It's information overload while you are trying to figure out symptoms, and things that work for and against you physically. It's having to learn a new norm for everyone...that nobody even asked for. It's been exhausting for everyone, not just me.

There is no cure, but thankfully I have quickly been put on a medication which I feel good about and finding new things every day that might help my own symptoms and health. Now we just have to look forward. A difficult thing to do when something is so unpredictable, and plans have been whipped out from under your feet, but it's about finding the positives right!

In Tayside there is a dedicated team of specialist MS nurses. Anyone who is diagnosed gets an MS nurse. They are amazing. They take the time to chat, listen, give you information. You can call the team any time you need to. With something as unpredictable as MS, it is a lifeline, especially in the beginning or during flare ups. Not every local NHS Trust has a specialist team but it would be amazing if they did.

This October, I'm taking on Challenge 135km - A month-long Facebook fundraising challenge with the MS Trust where I'll walk 135km. Evie wants to be super involved too. She plans to do the same distance between walking and a few bike rides to make up for when I walk when she is at school. I have friends and family primed for walking buddies throughout the month. Some people might think 135km isn't too far across a month but for people with MS (or any chronic illness), every single day in a month can be different and some days there isn't even 1km getting walked. To make sure we make the distance, it works out to be just over 4km per day. It isn't always going to be so easy but good days mean banking an extra wee distance to make up for the days that are limited.

Every kilometre completed and every pound raised will help MS Trust support people from the moment they're diagnosed and beyond. Whether MS specialist nurses/teams in an NHS area or not, the MS Trust is for everyone across the whole country, their family and friends too. They support people in lot of ways and help fund a lot of these nurses positions, but even their website is full of info and ways to access info.

Evie and I want to challenge ourselves but also fundraise for the MS Trust so they can keep helping people. If you can help us with even the smallest amount to reach our target we would be really grateful. :)