2016
How to have a happy Christmas dinner
The problem is how to have a happy Christmas dinner. Iām the one who needs to take things gently,. Pogressive MS, this dreadful disease makes me clumsy and inept. I can easily fall over or lose my balance so it is vital that I spread the work over the day. Thatās the theory, if only […]
Every morning its four sticky FES electrodes
Every morning its four sticky FES electrodes. I must put them on my left leg. Two go onto my thigh and two go just below the knee. I started using the FES two years ago in December 2014. I estimate that I have taken the sticky electrodes off about 720 times and put them back […]
48 weeks so I am almost half way there
I started the MSāSMART trial on January 7th 2016 and I take the MS-SMART pill twice a day. Its now 48 weeks so I am almost half way there. This two year trial is looking at 3 different drugs to find out if there is some neuroprotection in any of them. 48 weeks so I […]
Why multiple sclerosis makes me anxious
Multiple sclerosis is a scary disease. Itās progressive and unpredictable. Ā As it progresses you become less capable of undertaking physical activities. You are very aware of its progress. It is no great surprise that sufferers are apprehensive of what the future holds for them. This uncertainty is often the cause of stress and anxiety. Why […]
Going away for a short break
Going away for a short break used to be so easy. The hardest part was deciding where to go. The wife and I would finally agree on a place. From then on it was a simple process. Throw a few clothes into a suitcase, grab a book, car keys, wallet and the cheque book and […]
WorldvsMS challenge and The Amsterdam HACK
The WordvsMS campaign is an initiative that had been setup to give a voice to people with Multiple Sclerosis. The campaign has asked people with MS to list their challenges in everyday life. Three challenges were accepted from 103 that were submitted A weekend in mid-November was selected when groups of people were invited to […]
Finally I think progress is being made
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post expressing my frustration with trying to get Botox treatment for my bladder. If you missed the post and would like to read it then please click HERE. Yes, I was unbelievably frustrated. Overnight the hospital had shunted my appointment from the next day to March next […]
Man still needs Botox for his bladder
I need Botox injections to control my bladder spasticity. This issue has been rocking around my locker for more than a couple of years. I have written about these problems far too often. You must be bored with them. Ā Even I admit this subject does not come top of my reading list. Well read on, […]
Going back to Pilates
I have missed my last four Pilatesā sessions. They are on a Friday morning but I have been away. Going back to Pilates was a bit like going back to school after the Easter or Christmas break. Going back to Pilates Donāt get me wrong I enjoy Pilates. It helps me with the biggest problems […]
I use incontinence pads
Oooo, this is a difficult subject It is something I had to man-up to quite seriously several years ago. I have had bladder problems since I was a young man, multiple sclerosis has a lot to answer for š Nowadays I sometimes use incontinence pads because of the irritable bladder. I only wear normal underwear […]
Its when the unexpected happens
Its when the unexpected accident happens.Ā Inevitably IĀ get stressed and this feeling lasts for a couple of hours.Ā When I am feeling fragile it does not take much to tip me over the edge. Most of the time Iām as tough as old boots. Its when the unexpected happens The problem isĀ the MS. My memory and sense […]
MS Society MSLIFE2016 Exhibition
Over the weekend 17/18 September the MS Society held its biennial exhibition, TheĀ MS Society MSLIFE2016 Exhibition MS Society MSLIFE2016 Exhibition I went there on the first day and arrived at about 12.30. There was expectation and excitement from the moment I walked into the exhibition as well as a noisy atmosphere. During the day I […]
Do my morning exercises
As little as ten years ago I would wake up and get out of bed without a thought. Such bliss, such joy. Now when I wake up I always feel horribly stiff. It’s a huge effort to turn over onto my back so I can swing my legs out of bed and sit on the […]
Time To Make Your Life Easier
Do you have MS? Don’t you think its time to make your life easier? I should know, I am always trying do it. What can YOU do so you do not feel fatigued living your life? Ā Its important to enjoy yourself and have a good quality of life. Time to make your life easier Iām […]
Seven days during the Rio Olympics
There are days when living with MS is really not too bad and there are days when it is awful. There are even days when it can be exciting. This has been a week when I have gone through all of these emotions and more. I even broke my Leki walking stick in a dramatic […]
Keeping the grey matter active
I hope that this is a bit of a fun. How many times have you had to do something that’s looked easy? Then you realise that you need to think quite hard. Its called concentration or keeping the grey matter active :-0). Its called the Stroop effect Picture 1 […]
Sticky electrodes and my FES
I started using aĀ Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) in January 2014. It has been my game changer. Without the sticky electrodes and my FES I would probablyĀ have to use a wheelchair around the house. Hold on a moment, I would definitely have to use a wheelchair. Instead I have a different life. Sticky electrodes and my […]
I had a wonderful sailing holiday
I had a wonderful sailing holiday Earlier this year in 2016 I had a wonderful sailing holiday. Click HERE to read about it. I signed up to go sailing with the JST (Jubilee Sailing Trust) on the Lord Nelson. It was a six day trip from Southampton to France and back to Southampton. Help me […]
An invisible physical disability
Are you like me? I suffer from an invisible physical disability. Do these statements sound familiar? āCrikey I didnāt know you were disabledā. Ā Or maybe someoneĀ said āYou donāt look disabledā. Sometimes itās even āYou look healthyā, and then they deserve a slap. An invisible physical disability Millions of us in Briton have a hidden disability. […]
A Simple Decision Every Morning
There are decisions I must make every day from the moment I wake up. I have to make a simple decision every morning when I get dressed.Ā The result depends upon the mood I am in, how I feel when I wake up. It is my decision and it affects me for the rest of the […]
My Badly Behaved Bladder
Sometimes you just want your MS problems to go away. I know the severity is different for everyone but there are times when the niggles just get to be too much. Ā My badly behaved bladder has been around for over 35 years. Slightly longer than I have been married. My badly behaved bladder Its not […]
Living with multiple sclerosis is no laughing matter
Two reasons why living with multiple sclerosis is no laughing matter. Saturday 24 June I always look forward to Saturday. Not because itās the end of the week. Not because itās the start of the weekend. Itās the day I go to the local bakery buy bread and Chelsea Buns. Last Saturday came round and […]
Some things I simply do not seeĀ
Vision is a bit of a mystery to me at times. Some things I can see perfectly well and some things I simply do not see. I know my vision is not 20/20 š I always have to wear a pair of Ā glasses, I even have special reading glasses. Some things I simply do not […]
12 June 2016
Diary 12 June 2016 Hereās something to think about. Itās a quote from Mary Kay Ash, an American businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics. āThere are two things people want more than sex and money; recognition and praiseā. In case you were wondering the Travelscoot that was for sale has been sold. I have […]
The FES has been a life changer
An FES was originally fitted over 18 months ago to help my footdrop. There is no doubt the FES has been a life changer. It makes me feel more confident, I have better balance and a definiteĀ ‘I-can-do’ feeling. OK so I still need to use a rollator. The FES has been a life changer At […]
Walking is sensible exercise
Walking is sensible exercise. It is gentle, and it is low impact. Itās simple and effective. Even better, its free. Sensible exercise is about increasing your general activity and finding things to do that you enjoy. OK, I know that some of you can’t walk, it must be so frustratng. I can’t walk unless I […]
I Need A Two Wheeled Walking Frame
I have come to the conclusion that I need aĀ Two Wheeled Walking Frame.Ā Coming to this conclusion did not make me feel happy. Would a zimmerframe mean that I would be less likely to fall over? Am I a step closer to always needing to use a wheelchair? Is this another tipping point on my journey […]
A Letter to Multiple Sclerosis
A Letter to Multiple Sclerosis You first visited me a long time ago. It was 1972, I was 18 and having a pint or two of beer. I went to the loo for a pee but nothing happened. In 1979 I had a serious bladder spasm and I wet myself at work. You went away […]
I cannot do things I once took for granted
Everyone knows Multiple sclerosis is a horrible disease. Now I cannot do things I once took for granted, its the Multiple Sclerosis. Its taken a long time but I thinks it has finally got me. I get so frustrated. I cannot do things I once took for granted Am I wrong? I donāt think so. […]
Tall Ship Boat Sailing Holiday
I recently had a week away on a Tall Ship Boat Sailing Holiday. It was an exciting experience, truly memorable. Organised by the Jubilee Sailing Trust the boat, called the Lord Nelson, is designed and built for people with a physical disability. There were 50 people on board, including the regular crew, varying in age […]
Zinger battery powered lightweight wheelchair
The Zinger battery powered lightweight wheelchair is fun to use. Ā Itās small nippy and a new concept. It can be used both indoors and outside The Zinger is comfortable and itās manoeuvrable; it can literally turn on a sixpence piece. The armrests on a zinger are optional. The basic model has no handle bar so […]
MS-SMART and Anti-LINGO-1
At long last drugs are being tested to help slow down progression of SPMS. There are two trials in Phase 2 of the testing cycle. There is a good possibility something positive will be the result. The MS-SMART and Anti-LINGO-1 trials represent a real hope for us sufferers of SPMS. Each trial is evaluating how […]
Di Blasi R30 Folding Mobility Scooter
A mobility scooter that folds up on the press of a button. It seems a genuine novelty but the Di Blasi R30 folding mobility scooter is not the only one on the market. Click here to find out more about it. I like the 1930ās style and the large wheels so it can go over […]
Multiple Sclerosis Specialist Advice
I have been following blogs and visiting MS forums recently. Yup these have all been MS related, no surprises there. There was one startling conclusion that I have come to. People seem happy to live with their problems and reluctant to talk to MS specialists. MS sufferers need to find someone who can give Multiple […]
British Summer Time Returns
The last full weekend in March, British Summer Time returns š . The clocks go forward an hour and everything else takes a great leap forward. Finally its bye-bye to winter, Spring is now well under way. British Summer Time returns In the woods and the garden there are signs that everything is waking up. […]
Look Forward And Not Look Back
Are you a person who will look forward and not look back? Do you try to move forward and take on new challenges? Alternatively are you a person who wants to keep hold of the past and not let go of it? Technology is moving forward very quickly but I am not talking about that. […]
