MS is a disease where your immune system attacks the nerve coatings of your brain and spinal cord. This can make it difficult for your brain to send signals to your body, which can result in a multitude of symptoms including problems with fatigue, vision, arm and leg movement, sensation and balance. It’s a chronic and progressive disease, meaning it’s a lifelong condition and it gets worse over time.

130 people are diagnosed with MS each week in the UK. It can occur at any age, but typically people develop symptoms between the ages of 20-40, in the so-call prime of life.

Unfortunately, in April 2022 just before my 30th birthday, I was told I was likely going to become one of these statistics and in June 2023 that was confirmed to be the case. It’s been a large and bitter pill to swallow (I think I’m probably still swallowing it), with many emotions along the way. My Uncle had MS and as a family we saw it have a devastating effect on his quality of life. This first-hand knowledge of the disease paired with many 3am consultations with Dr Google, I’ve taken myself to worse case scenario on many occasion. Given that no two people have MS the same, there are different types, and the progression is different for everyone, many people struggle with an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty.

Despite this doom and gloom, there is a silver lining and I have become very grateful. Although currently incurable, a diagnosis of MS is now very different to what it once was. There are a number of treatments that have been developed that help slow and hopefully stop the progression of the disease in its tracks. I will be on these drugs for the rest of my life and despite the fact that each treatment option comes with their negatives, I feel it’s far better than the alternative and I am BEYOND BLESSED.

Charities such as the MS Society are the ones that allow me to feel this way- They fund world leading research, share the latest information about the disease and their ultimate goal is to find treatments for everyone. Until then, they work to make sure that no one has to face MS alone. There have been more MS research breakthroughs in the last 5 years than in the 70 that preceded it and its being understood more and more which is incredible. That said, there is more work to be done- The progression of the disease needs to be halted in 100% of cases, not just slowed and quality of life needs to be maintained.

I currently don’t even know if my treatment is working (it’s a long process) but what I do know is that I would feel completely differently about my life and future without these drugs and research. I can’t actually begin to explain my gratitude, which is why have decided to run the Berlin Marathon to raise money for the MS Society.

I’d be super thankful for any sponsorship. I’m running to say thanks for all of the above but also doing this in memory of my Uncle and to help with funding the vital research.

Feeling fear when you think about your future isn’t a fun way to live and I would love it if one day someone got their diagnosis, and they didn’t have to feel lost or frightened about what is to come.

This whole thing has been been eye opening and has had a knock-on effect on every aspect of my life in one way or another- some of which has been immensely positive. Don’t sweat the small stuff, look after your body and health as far as you are able to, and do it all while you can- your life can change in an instant.

26.2 MILES eeeeek- LETS GO CHAMPS