My first ever charity event… Cycling 54 miles, Around the Harbours! July 2024!

**Fundraising from this page will be allocated to Milton Keynes and district group.**

Multiple sclerosis (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.

It's a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild.

There are three main types of MS - relapsing, primary progressive and secondary progressive.

In many cases, it's possible to treat symptoms. Average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with MS. However, there is no treatment for Primary Progressive MS at present.

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I have friends and family who live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), closest to me, is my Dad, Danny! Dad was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS, which means that the symptoms get worse and worse as time goes on.

Before his diagnosis he was an active senior officer in the St John Ambulance in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, volunteering to help others at events, teaching children and teenagers first aid and vital life skills, and being a role model to many. He was also a carpenter, then moving to be a Site Manager on building sites - and still has a good eye for a snag or two.

In 2012, I remember laying down in the On Call room at work when I got a call from my Mum saying that Dad was being taken to hospital for increased back pain and numbness in his legs. The next morning, I asked my boss if I could have the day off to be with him and my mum in hospital. I picked my big brother up at the train station and we rushed over. Within the next 24hrs the results of his scans were in… He was Diagnosised with MS.

Since then Dad has lost the ability to walk and has limited use of his arms. He is cared for by my Mum, providing 24hr care, luckily with a house kitted out with a hoist and various other aids. Dad is still the funny, bossy, caring man we have always known, a lot less active, but all of the grandchildren love getting him involved, often playing: Rock Paper Scissors, Draughts, connect4, and generally having a good time.

On occasions he goes out on his battery powered wheelchair - never ever getting lost on the redways of Milton Keynes - NOPE that has never happened 😉😜 - and he’s never gone out and have his battery run out! - Thank the Lord for “Find my friends”!

Dad fundraises himself around the local area. He can often be found out at supermarkets and shopping centres collecting the small change from people’s pockets.

The MS society has connected Dad to others who have MS and gives support to him and my mum.

MS researchers are working on three ways to stop MS: preventing immune attacks, promoting myelin repair and protecting nerves. Wouldn’t it be amazing if someday that happened!

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