Balance
My Escape Travelscoot, I love the minimalist design
I bought my Escape Travelscoot in July 2024. The new model is narrower than the Deluxe model to conform with cruise boat regulations. I really enjoy riding the Travelscoot, I call mine The Trike. It ticks so many boxes that are important to me especially independence. I love the minimalist design and it is so […]
I’m a frequent faller, its a fact of life
I’m a frequent faller, its all because I have multiple sclerosis. My left leg is the culprit, I have drop foot and drop leg. It must have started sometime in the 1990’s, my diagnosis was in 1996. What started as an occasional trivial event now has a major impact on my life. At first the […]
Weak core muscles so I use a wobble cushion
My core muscles are weak, its something I only noticed a few weeks ago, Getting out of bed has not been easy for several years, its to do with getting older and my MS. Just recently it has suddenly turned into a terrible struggle. I’ve got enough problems already without worrying about new ones. Now […]
Variable height saddle stool to move around in the kitchen
I use a saddle stool to move around in the kitchen, prepare food and cook. It makes my life in the kitchen so much easier. I cannot walk or stand unaided because of multiple sclerosis. Now I can cook, a hobby that I enjoy. The stool is like a horse’s saddle on wheels. You could […]
Feet are made for standing
Feet are made for standing, its something people take for granted. OK I admit that walking, running and jumping also involve feet but standing on them is a basic function. “Learn to stand on your own two feet” and “Rushed off your feet” are two common phrases that involve being on your feet. My mobility […]
Advanced MS and sitting down exercises
Advanced MS and exercise are not natural bedfellows. None the less exercise can help us all to manage common MS symptoms such as fatigue, muscle spasms or balance. When I was a child my parents were always saying to me, “Go out side and take some exercise” and it was so easy. Those were happy […]
Poor balance and mobility makes walking difficult
I have poor balance and mobility so I use a mobility scooter. I remember in 2012 when medical retirement arrived I could easily lift my mobility scooter onto a train and I did not need a walking stick either. Those were carefree days, now long gone. Nobody told me how my life would change in […]
3 traumatic injuries to me
Visits to hospital Multiple Sclerosis was the the one factor that joins these 3 traumatic injuries together. None of them could be described as fun but hey, I survived. Sepsis December 2013 I have used intermittent self-catheterisation to empty my bladder since 2005. this visit to hospital occurred in 2013. I had just received a […]
With MS I now move like a tortoise slow but steady
As I move forward through time, ticking off the years, multiple sclerosis has an ever growing impact upon my life. Nowadays I must always have one hand holding onto something firm and stable. The happy days of nipping upstairs or popping next door are history. Now everything must be carefully considered. I now move like […]
Further handicaps because of MS
I have a problem with expecting too much from myself. This in turn hurts me more than it helps me. I am always looking at my life and trying to simplify everything I do but it is harder than it seems. The biggest problem with advanced MS is how an ordinary activity is suddenly […]
Disabled and can’t walk unaided, welcome to my world
The pernicious creature multiple sclerosis affects me more and more as time goes by. I do have two legs but one of them is virtually useless. My brain cannot send messages to all the muscles in my left leg. Also, my left leg does not tell my brain everything that it has done. Messages cannot […]
Another way to dry my phone
I dropped my mobile phone down the loo, accidentally of course 🙂 . To be more precise it fell out of my back jeans pocket and sank beneath the surface; a trail of bubbles gave its position away. I fished it out, gave it a quick dry with a towel and then put it into […]
Oxo Good Grips angled measuring jug
Oxo Good Grips angled measuring jug is a new take on an established design. It is a very practical addition to your kitchen. It’s so easy to use. When I want to measure hot or cold liquid I place the Oxo measuring jug on a work surface. Now I can sit down in a chair […]
Is physical exercise good for me
I believe that exercise is good for me and essential to having a good quality of life even despIte suffering from aDVANCED ms MS. It is an excellent activity to re-connect the mind and body before or after a long day of stress. My MS stops aerobic exercise, getting all hot and sweaty. Even just […]
Multiple sclerosis is a vile disease
MS smothers you, wraps you up in its tentacles and replaces energy with fatigue. I can no longer do things that other people take completely for granted. Even worse there is nothing predictable about it except it just gets worse and worse and worse. It can even lurk in the body for years before its […]
Simple things I now need to understand
A few years ago I kidded myself that I could still do the things just like I did in the noughties. Simple things I now need to understand. “Don’t worry, I can do it” I shouted enthusiastically as I was starting jobs like cooking supper. It would all begin swimmingly. Suddenly, out of the blue, […]
Walking round the supermarket with a trolley
When I started taking Fampridine the physiotherapist was insistent that I take more exercise. I mentioned that I go to the supermarket every day and do the shopping on The Trike (3 wheel light-weight mobility scooter). Her eyes lit up, “I know what you can do” she said. “This is an idea. Walking round the supermarket […]
Looking on the bright side of life
Everyone who has progressive MS has their own unique set of difficulties. The issues can’t be papered over, they are with you day in, day out, all day and every day. I have one visible problem, mobility or balance and an invisible problem, my bladder. Of course I’m always looking on the bright side of […]
Does my disability make me worth less?
So Christmas is done and dusted for another year. Decorations have been taken down and put in the loft. The Boy Scouts have collected the tree and recycled it. We’ve even managed to empty the fridge. Now wouldn’t it be lovely if I could just pack up my MS and store that in the loft […]
Just another little fall
In the kitchen I must use a stool on wheels. The Wife and I were cooking supper last Sunday and everything was getting a bit fraught. Not enough pairs of hands to prepare everything. I moved forward on my stool but a wheel got stuck in the grouting between two floor tiles. The stool stopped […]
Nobody mentioned grab rails
I guess a few of you who are reading this have got that irritating little disease, multiple sclerosis. It’s the way it advances. Step by step it creeps up on you. It’s funny how something that wasn’t a problem changes and becomes a problem. Even worse, suddenly its an ‘in your face’ problem. We had […]
Stumble fall crunch and wallop
Monday evening We had finished watching episode 5 of Line of Duty. No spoilers I promise. Program finished and we were done. All that was left was to clear up the room and toddle off to bed. The Wife had taken the glasses through to the kitchen. All I had to do was switch off […]
What would I like returned to me by Multiple Sclerosis?
What would I like returned to me by Multiple Sclerosis? I’m talking about basic abilities, ones I have lost for ever. The list is far too long to bore you. In my dreams there is only I would like back. I’m sure it’s something lots of people take for granted. Right now I am really […]
Red Telescopic Anti-Shock Hiking Walking Stick
This is a simple and sturdy Red Telescopic Anti-Shock Hiking Walking Stick. It is telescopic so you can also use it as a walking pole. It has a non slip handle that means it is easy to hold it as a walking stick. There is strap that you can put round your wrist so you cannot […]
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 […]
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 […]
Going back to Pilates
I have missed my last four Pilates’ 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 Don’t get me wrong I enjoy Pilates. It helps me with the biggest problems […]
Its when the unexpected happens
Its when the unexpected accident happens. Inevitably I get stressed and this feeling lasts for a couple of hours. When I am feeling fragile it does not take much to tip me over the edge. Most of the time I’m as tough as old boots. Its when the unexpected happens The problem is the MS. My memory and sense […]
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? Its important to enjoy yourself and have a good quality of life. Time to make your life easier I’m […]
Sticky electrodes and my FES
I started using a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) in January 2014. It has been my game changer. Without the sticky electrodes and my FES I would probably 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 Need A Two Wheeled Walking Frame
I have come to the conclusion that I need a Two Wheeled Walking Frame. 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 […]
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 don’t think so. […]
Wobble Cushion
I bought a Wobble Cushion in 2012. My balance was much better then than it is now in 2016 multiple sclerosis has killed off my walking and sense of balance.. Nowadays I cannot walk unaided. So what is a wobble cushion? The best description is to imagine a rubber cushion filled with air and it is made […]
Bath or Shower Locking Suction Cup Handles
Years ago when I climbed into a bath I just knew it is going to be difficult to get out. Then my disease progressed and I needed help with balance and standing up in the shower. The shower is in the bath so I had to climb into the bath first of all. How did […]
A Very Wet Phone and 5 Rules to Dry it
Does your mobile phone float? Mine fell into the loo. I had a very wet phone. A very wet phone and 5 rules to dry it. Let’s start at the beginning I’m a bloke and I keep my phone in the breast pocket of my shirt. If I bend over at the waist I will fall […]
