What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (‘MS’) is a neurological condition which can affect the brain and the spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, from vision problems to movement and balance issues. There is no cure, but treatment to slow down the progression of the disease is advancing every day.
My Diagnosis
I experienced my first attack at age 18, a week before my A-levels (impeccable timing!). I woke up with double vision, and the sensation that I had just downed 10 shots of vodka, later finding out that this was vertigo. This attack lasted around 2 months. It felt surreal when my vision finally returned, my ability to drive and walk unaided was back, and I became independent once again.
I was diagnosed with Clinically Isolated Syndrome in July 2019, and with MS in February 2022 after experiencing my second attack (a hand tremor).
Training with MS
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is linked to a slower progression of the disease, so after I felt more myself, I threw myself into a sport I’d been intrigued by for a while – powerlifting! At this time, my balance wasn’t quite good enough to go back to karate, so the excitement of a new sport was a great distraction.
Almost 4 years on, I am still a keen lifter, and you’ve likely seen me hogging a squat rack in the gym! I enjoy competing regularly, and I even competed in the English Championships last year (and won my age/weight class!). As well as this, I earned by black belt in karate in September 2021. I am the most physically fit I have been in my life, and I like to push the narrative that your life isn’t over at diagnosis.
The Highs and Lows of Training
One major factor which can impact training with MS is fatigue. Desperately wanting to train but your body not allowing you to can be incredibly frustrating and mentally draining, nonetheless, it’s important to listen to your body. Being a stubborn person, I learned this the hard way!
However, not every day is a bad one, for me personally, the majority are good! Achieving your goals even when you have a set-back makes them all the more satisfactory. Don’t let the media fool you, people with MS can lead fulfilled lives!
Acceptance
At the beginning of my MS journey, I found it hard to accept my new life, and I found myself mourning my past ‘healthy’ self. I am now content with the cards I’ve been dealt in life, and I try to find positives along the way, to list a few; fast track at Alton Towers, cheap cinema tickets, and skipping the queues at Disney Land!
So, if you ever want access to rollercoasters quickly, you know who to come to…
