On 25th June 2016, Sarah and I (as part of team 'Social Hiking') are taking part in the 5 in 5 challenge – hiking 5 peaks in the Lake District in 5 hours in aid of MS Society.

Phil's Story

Back in April 2010, I walked Offa’s Dyke with my good friend Alex after a family member was diagnosed with MS. During the challenge, as I talked to people about the condition, it moved me just how many people’s lives have been affected by MS, not just those with the condition, but their friends and family. After completing the challenge, I began to experience odd symptoms. After a physical problem was ruled out, I was sent for a MRI scan and diagnosed with ‘clinically isolated syndrome’ – a single attack on the central nervous system. After a second attack in November, and another MRI scan, I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS. Living with MS is unpredictable and has been described as being a bit like going on a rollercoaster: blindfolded – you have no idea what is coming, you cannot get off, and sometimes it is going to be scary and sometimes a relief. Thankfully thus far, with a few adaptations, my everyday life is mostly unaffected by the condition.

What is MS?

MS is an autoimmune disorder which affects the central nervous system, caused by the immune system attacking the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres. MS is unpredictable, and symptoms vary from person to person, but can include problems with balance, fatigue, numbness, visual problems and muscle stiffness or spasms, and in some cases can lead to severe and permanent disability. MS can be a difficult lengthy process to diagnose, but it is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults – around 100,000 people in the UK have the condition. It is complex and unpredictable – there is no cure, and treatments that are available are effective in only certain cases for some of the time.

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