I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2015. It came as a big shock although in truth I didn’t know much about it. My reaction then is similar to that of people I tell now so I figured the best thing I can do is to try and raise awareness of it and to help raise some much needed money for the amazing research the MS Society do to find a cure that would help me and so many others like me.

Now for the educational bit…MS is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. For me MS has impacted me physically and mentally, and as I head into my forties the uncertainty of what’s next can be overwhelming. What gives me hope is the huge advances in medical treatments available and although no cure yet I’m confident it’s only a matter of time (and money!).

So what now…I’ve always thought that I should do something to help myself and others by raising money but in truth I find it hard to talk openly about my MS (I wrote this about a million times before hitting post, haha). But given the big 4-0 is upon me I thought I need to care less about thoughts and care more about my future so for my birthday I am raising funds for the MS Society. As a family we have signed up for a 5k walk in London organised by the MS society on September 17th to help fund vital research to stop MS. 5k doesn’t sound much but as I struggle to do 1k some days I’ll be very proud of myself when I cross that finish line, and maybe it will be the London Marathon next, haha.

As I head into my forties the best present would be to donate or sponsor whatever you can afford (every penny counts)…For me being mobile enough to enjoy life and look forward to watching my children grow up is far more important than any gifts. Gail x

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