My challenge may sound quite feeble to the average person over the age of eight but
I am attempting to swim one length or two if I have the energy of all the Live Borders pools from the 2^nd  October up to and including the 4^th  December 2017. 

This is why this is a real test for me aged 34 years old………..

At the age of 23 I was suddenly and severely affected by MS. Within a few weeks of my first symptoms I was so ill I was in an induced coma and on a ventilator in intensive care. From there it was a very long road back. I had lost my ability to speak, I couldn't swallow, my eyesight was damaged, and I couldn't stand or walk. I spent three months in the
Western General in Edinburgh and then nine months rehabilitating at Astley Ainsley
Hospital.  I was told I had MS eight months after my first attack.

I have recovered to some extent. I can now eat and drink normally but my speech remains severely affected, which is a struggle for everyone especially when I still want to chat a lot but can’t really. I have to use a wheelchair to get around and I live with my parents.

It has been very difficult but I have been helped enormously by the Borders MS Society. They made contact with my mum and dad even before I left hospital and let them know that they were not alone and people were around to share experiences and provide support. One of the first things they did was loan me an exercise bike that I could use from my wheelchair. This is something I now use every day and it is a vital part of my
exercise regime. They introduced me to Riding for the Disabled and they organised Power Plate, Pilates, Yoga, Hydrotherapy and sports massage. All of these things have been part of the process that has allowed me to make very small almost tiny improvements in my mobility and fitness.  Over time, the tiny improvements can make a huge difference.

I have decided that I want to try to put something back by raising funds for the Borders MS Society. My first idea was to cycle the equivalent of Land's End to John O'Groats on my exercise bike.  Unfortunately, very soon after I started trying to increase my daily mileage my knee decided to start giving trouble and I had to rethink. Not to be defeated I have decided on another equally improbable challenge. I am planning to swim a minimum of one and a maximum of two lengths of all six Live Borders swimming pools.  Swimming used to be effortless prior to MS but now I don’t have that ease with very heavy limbs from increased tone. Swimming is a challenge - I will have to use a noodle to help me stay afloat but I will be entirely self-propelled. There will of course be people on hand just in case.

My intention is to raise funds for the group who have been so important in bringing me back from a very low starting point. I know that if I hadn’t had that help I wouldn’t have achieved or improved so much.  So this is in the hope that the group can carry on the great work and help many more who have been unfortunate as I was. 

If you would like to donate any amount would help to boost funds.  Thank you for taking the time to read my story, it is much appreciated.

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