I am raising money to help raise funds for MS Together's counselling service. Myself, my Dad (Geoff) and my Auntie Sarah all the way in Glasgow will each be taking on this challenge!

My journey to getting a diagnosis of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis started in January 2024, when a week of eye pain led to the sudden loss of my peripheral vision in one eye whilst teaching. It wasn’t until November 2024 that I got my formal, official diagnosis. The months in between have been particularly difficult, which is something I haven’t been good at admitting or accepting.

The process of getting my diagnosis has been lengthy and I’m not ashamed to admit that I have found it really hard - with multiple appointments, lots of chasing up and plenty of struggles along the way. In the space of 10 months I have had 2 MRIs, a lumbar puncture, and appointments with neurology and ophthalmology as well as discussions with my GP, an MS nurse and now, a counsellor. My eyesight took over a month to return - mostly - back to normal, the grip in my hand significantly decreased for a period of weeks, and mentally it’s been a very emotionally and physically exhausting experience with plenty of questions, tears and a strange sort of grief.

I’ve also had endless discussions with family and friends and, unsurprisingly, have spent a lot of time thinking about my Grandad, who also had MS. I have a newfound respect for everything he went through, especially as things were so different for those with MS even 20 years ago compared to now. I’ve also missed him more than before and have felt very connected to him.

On the bright side, my MS symptoms are minimal and I have been put forward to begin on Kesimpta, a high efficacy Disease Modifying Therapy, in early 2025 (hopefully). I am lucky to have been diagnosed at a time where there is so much research and development into Multiple Sclerosis, where there are almost too many treatments to choose from and constant new findings.

MS Together are a charity for young people aged 18-35 with MS, who spoke at a “getting to grips with MS” day I attended at Salford Royal in August, during which they discussed their counselling pilot. It’s taken me a while to accept that counselling is something I need, but now I am receiving it and really feel & appreciate the difference it is already making for me. As you can see with my previous paragraph, things are still not easy but counselling really has helped me to rationalise everything that little bit more and to just TALK about things.

I feel that counselling should be readily available to anyone going through an MS journey of their own, so - in January - myself and my Dad in Manchester AS WELL AS my Auntie Sarah in Glasgow are going to walk 310,000 steps each to raise money for MS Together’s Counselling Service. Any donations or words of support would be greatly appreciated 🧡

Lauren x