Ruth’s story

My diagnosis  

I was told in 2008 I had MS. It was out of the blue, but I believed I’ve been getting symptoms for years. I’d always thought I would get it as my mum had died from it. In 2010 I decided I wanted a child, my MS nurses were so positive and said told me I couldn’t know what the future would bring for me. I imagined I would be a mum pushed around in a wheelchair by a teenager as I pushed my mum. Today, he’s seen me fall many times and from a young age he has always looked out for me.   

What helped me  

I had years of Disease Modifying Treatments (DMTs) and had a bad relapse after the birth of my son. I couldn’t access HSPC stem cell treatment due to my age so I started looking at meditation recommendations from Phil Startin. Through another MS charity I met wonderful people who’d been on a previous Overcoming MS Retreat and ended up going to one in Bath. I met life-changing people and learned life’s changing skills.  

What changed  

 I started as a timid mouse with a dropped foot, balance issues, and bad diet. I used a stick and had many falls. I started exercising every day, doing meditation and following the diet recommendations from Overcoming MS. Years of balance exercises have meant I can now stand and balance. I’ve taught myself how to swim, and I go very fast now! After curing my dropped foot, I’ve been rehabilitating at Southend Hospital. I am now walking and running on a treadmill for a whole mile most mornings. I also do swimming and weights and core exercises regularly.  

What still isn’t easy  

I still have issues with my bladder. I do still get dizzy if I move my head too quickly, but I’ve learnt how to swim, and I’ve tailored my swimming to cope.  

Life Today  

It’s so much brighter! Before I couldn’t even talk to my son in the morning as my words didn’t come out properly and my head was too foggy; I now wake up bright and early each morning and can plan my day calmly.  

Nobody Told Me… I could make a difference myself and feel so much more in control