Living With MS
Life in a MS houeshold
Emergency visit to Stoke Mandeville
2013 has not been a good year for me so far. This time an emergency trip to Stoke Mandeville hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 20th Feb. So what happened to get me there? On Tuesday evening Barby and I went out for a curry with some friends. Just before we left the […]
4th Multiple Sclerosis Research Day
On Saturday Feb 2nd Barby and I went up to London to attend the 4th Multiple Sclerosis Research Day. It was held the Church House Conference Centre next to Westminster Abbey. This is an annual event and it gives people an opportunity to find out about the latest research into multiple sclerosis. Naturally the disabled […]
Happy Birthday
The website is now one year old, a bit of a roller coaster ride but I think it deserves a Happy Birthday. I can still remember 1 February 2012, I had just been given the website, there was no content, a Facebook page but no followers and something called Twitter with no followers. Overwhelmed, daunted, […]
Paralympic Games legacy
Almost 9 out of 10 sports clubs saw no change in the number of people with disabilities joining their ranks after the London Games. Paralympic Games legacy The Sport and Recreation alliance have discovered that 86% of clubs said they had noticed no change in the number of enquiries they had received from people with […]
New Year’s Day
We had a small party at home on New Year’s Eve for 2013. I was woken by the dogs at about 9.30 in the morning on New Year’s day so I stumbled down stairs to let them out for a pee. I was coming back upstairs, took a left turn onto the landing and wallop, […]
Simple eye scan can reveal extent of Multiple Sclerosis
A simple eye test may offer a fast and easy way to monitor patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) Thickness of retina to monitor MS In a trial involving 164 people with multiple sclerosis (MS), those with thinning of their retina had earlier and more active MS. A simple eye test may offer a fast and […]
Independence and Quality of Life
I suffer from a progressive disease, I have less stamina now than 6 months ago, everything calls for a greater effort and it will only get worse. A couple of questions Do you think your disease is robbing you of your independence and taking away your quality of life? What steps are you taking to […]
Christmas comes early for Julie Dean and family
Christmas is a special time for many of us but for Julie Dean and family from Longwick this year’s will be a particularly happy and memorable one. Having been refused funding from their local council and giving up all hope of ever affording a much needed stairlift, Hertfordshire based company EMS Stairlifts came to their aid providing one completely free of charge […]
Sleepless night
Friday night on 14 December 2012 was yet another sleepless night. I seem to have lost the knack of falling asleep. I managed to doze before finally dropping off at about 5 in the morning. When I woke up at about 9 I did not feel too awful, Barby said ‘stay in bed and get […]
Thoughts on counselling
Here are a few of my thoughts on counselling. How you feel about yourself Remember MS is a progressive disease and counselling does not provide an instant cure. Therapy or counselling can give you a chance to adapt your coping strategy. It is a chance to talk and to change your mind-set. Change how you […]
Third infusion
My third infusion was on 31 October, that was a few days ago. Double vision was troubling me when I went up the previous time, so I went to my optician, he told me to wear my reading glasses more often. Now I have no trouble with the double vision problem when doing work on […]
Disabled and Housebound
Disabled and housebound, are these two separate problems? They can be mutually exclusive but much worse, you could be both disabled and housebound. I will discuss 5 ways to help you survive being housebound, I will throw in physical disability for good measure. Walls feel like they are closing in The biggest problem, you can […]
Power of exercise
One of the problems of progressive physical diseases is that you can lose the ability to enjoy the power of exercise MS has stolen those moments Exercise creates an endorphin rush, that feel good feeling, to a large extent this euphoric feeling is now history. For several years after my diagnosis multiple sclerosis was just […]
Bladder problems and MS
Nearly everyone has the misfortune to suffer from bladder problems and MS. Sadly I am one of them. Bladder problems and MS If you do have MS and a good bladder then count yourself very lucky. It is thought that as many as 90% of people with MS will have bladder problems at one time […]
Type 1 Diabetes
I saw a tweet about spotting the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes and how you could save a child’s life. Are you Type 1 diabetes aware? Probably not, the symptoms are difficult to spot. If in doubt get a blood test, very simple and a possible life saver Type 1 diabetes It is a Long […]
80 year old Shropshire farmer continues to run his farm
Robert Mund is 80, determined to run his farm, and his mobility is restricted because of two hip replacements. He relies on a rugged mobility scooter to manage his herd of 40 cattle. I hope that I can be equally active when I am 80. Robert Maund, 80, from Betton Strange near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, is […]
MS Chilterns move into a new building
There is a wonderful MS therapy centre at Halton, Bucks. The previous MS therapy Centre was tucked away amongst houses for service men and their families next to RAF Halton. The building looks dilapidated, it was built out of pre-cast concrete slabs, single story and it has a flat roof. From the outside it looks […]
Second infusion
Today I went the Royal London hospital and had my second infusion. There was not a lot to report since my first infusion. I have not noticed any difference in the last 4 weeks except that my double vision has got worse. This time there was just one test. I was shown a list of […]
First Infusion 4th September
The infusions are to done monthly and the first one must be within 6 weeks of being accepted for the trial. I was accepted on 26th July. The first infusion It was set for Tuesday 4th September, cutting it a bit fine, but hey-ho I made it. I was told the first day would be […]
Ascend Trial, the screening
MS is a progressive autoimmune disease and so far no cure has been found. It is devastating; you just gradually lose the ability to control part or parts of your body. Ascend trial, the screening My left leg has no strength. generally speaking from the wast down I’m a bit of a disaster. At least […]
An unreliable bladder
When my bladder suddenly decides to empty itself and I cannot get to the loo, there is severe embarrassment. What causes an unreliable bladder, otherwise known as urinary incontinence, and what can I do to make my life easier? An unreliable bladder I’m not giving a medical solution, This is about how I cope. I’ve […]
Railway stations and access for the disabled
Not enough railway stations provide step free access for the physically disabled. The problem Almost all the British railway system was built before disabled people existed in the public eye. When the stations were originally built lifts did not exist and disabled people were not in the mindset. If you wanted to get across the […]
Dragons Den Competition
I was told that Dacorum, my county council, were going to be running a Dragon’s Den competition. The council was looking to promote small local businesses. Successful entrants would receive a prize of £ 1,000. The closing date would be the end of August. Two people I know and respect said I would be stupid […]
handSteady Mug
Do you have such a severe tremor that drinking from a normal cup is difficult? If you are unlucky enough to have a tremor in the arms weak wrists or weak hands? If that is the case then a handSteady drinking mug could be the solution. Incidentally it will also help if you have difficulty […]
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D, its the sunshine vitamin.and has several important functions. Among other things it regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in your body. These nutrients are needed to give you stronger bones and help to keep your teeth healthy. Click here to buy Vitamin D3, 5000 IU, Softgels Why not read the article Could Vitamin D […]
Completing forms properly
I am disabled, I have advanced MS and I cannot work. Completing forms properly is essential if I am to receive any state benefit. PIP (Personal lndependence Payment) and Incapacity Work Benefit are forms for benefits I have had to complete. These forms are a nightmare, lots of difficult questions. They must be answered correctly […]
Partially sighted
Its June 2012, a friend of my wife stayed with us for the weekend. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984, recently she had a relapse and is almost blind. MS was a double tragedy She has very poor vision. in fact it is very limited peripheral vision. The loss of sight took place […]
A big moan
If you are travelling by train from London Euston to Berkhamsted you must go down about 14 steps and then walk down a steep slope to get out of the station. The line runs at roof-top height. A big moan I am disabled and must use my mobility scooter (a Travelscoot) because I cannot walk. […]
Clonazepam
Recently I wrote as few lines on the MS Forum saying that I had been prescribed Clonazepam and how it had stopped my legs twitching during the night as well as stopping the pain in my thighs. Not only was I now getting a good night’s sleep but so was my wife, a win-win situation. […]
The Meerkat Approach
I’m sure you know this is a picture of a meerkat, – it’s that cheeky looking creature that lives in the South African deserts. It stands up on its hind legs and keeps a very careful eye on its surroundings. A group of meerkats is known as a clan or a mob. They are very […]
Selecting a rollator
I have been going to the Chiltern Multiple Sclerosis Centre in Wendover, Bucks since 1997. All the rollators there that people use are Topro Its a fact of life A couple of years ago in 2009 Louise Wakelam, Head of Professional services, suggested that I buy a rollator as a walking aid. I had developed […]
Sleep just happens
Sleep just happens, it is a wonderful thing. The past At night after a few minutes reading my book I would turn off the bed side light, shut my eyes and next thing it’s the morning and I felt refreshed. Sometimes I had to get up for a pee or a drink of water cos […]
A Big Decision
Its February 2012, the wife and I now realize I can no longer do any more computer consultancy work. It is full time or not at all in the work I do So that door has closed Does this mean retirement? Yes to computer consultancy, now I can put all my energy and time into […]
