I was formally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) just days after my 18^th birthday, back in September 1999. At the time, I was National Swimming Champion for 100m Backstroke, competing all over the world for GB and very likely to be selected for and compete at the Olympic Games in Sydney, 2000.  MS ended my Olympic dream and turned my ‘perfect life’ into a living nightmare; a nightmare that lasted almost 8 years, suffering from the illness itself and others associated, including depression, blindness and obesity.

Thanks to the incredible support of Adrian, now my amazing husband, and others around me, I came through the worst times and with hard work, dedication and unbelievable support, I have now successfully represented Team GB at the Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016
Paralympics Games.  I still suffer from MS, but I have also won over 700 swimming medals, 10 of which are Paralympic medals, including my two most prized Gold medals.  I am currently still training - and have been throughout the Covid 19 Lockdown (albeit not in the pool!) - hoping to be selected for Team GB for the Tokyo Paralympics, now in 2021.

I am one of more than 130,000 people living with MS in the UK. It can affect the way we walk, talk, eat and think. Like many others, I have and do experience many symptoms, including temporary blindness of my right eye and paralysis, pain, often a loss of bladder control and problems with my speech.

For everyone living with MS life is tough but for many, this year with the Coronavirus pandemic, evidence confirms it has been especially hard.

I am so proud to be an Ambassador for the MS Society.  The society has done incredible work in support of people living with MS, providing accurate MS-related information about COVID-19, offered regular phone calls and online chats with those feeling isolated or worried and found ways to keep their vital research projects moving forward.

With so many fundraising events cancelled this year, the charity has lost an estimated £10million of income and, hence, to show my support, I have agreed to take-on the #100KYourWay challenge.  I have pledged to swim 100 Kilometres at the University of Bath pool.  Over the coming
weeks, I will dedicate every 50m length I swim in training to this and hope to finish my personal challenge before Halloween, in just 9 weeks!

Please help and encourage me by donating whatever you feel you can – and together we can ensure the MS Society is able to provide critical and timely support to those that need it.  I look back at 8 wasted years of my life, immediately after my diagnosis, when I was unable to complete my A’Levels, go to university or even contemplate swimming. This campaign will undoubtedly help those recently diagnosed with MS, offer guidance and friendship to all with this incurable illness, further improve services and, ultimately, fund research that will one day find a cure.

You can follow me on Twitter to see updates on my challenge: @steph_millward

Thank you so much – together we can STOP MS.

Stephanie