Julie's blog - looking on the bright side

Hello all!

My name is Julie, I’m 31 and I have secondary progressive MS. I’ve been in a wheelchair for about a year now. Still haven’t mastered the wheelie yet but there is time.

I was diagnosed on 7 June 2006. The symptoms had been going on for a while before then. The doctor said my tingling hands were a sign of stress and so I was put on tablets which I think triggered off a fully-blown relapse and my right leg started to drag. After a couple of months of tests (thanks goodness for the private healthcare my employers provided – cost them a fortune!!), I was given the official diagnosis. I was actually relieved that my condition now had a name and I knew what I was facing. It was relapsing remitting MS at that point. I went and bought my wedding dress the same day! I’m happy to tell you that I walked down the aisle.

Because at the time the symptoms couldn’t really be seen, people didn’t really think I was ill and I was taking the mick at work. I was angry with people for not understanding or not trying to understand and I lost a few good friends. But when it hits the fan, you know who your friends are. It’s made me a stronger person I think. I still hold grudges though!

I would not be forgiven if I didn’t mention the two most important people in my life. My husband Michael has stuck with me through everything. Couldn’t have asked for more because I was a wreck coming to terms with the frustration of not being able to do a lot of things that are taken for granted. He is now going to university to become a nurse. I am so proud of him. And Alice Rose, my beautiful baby girl, who is the main reason I keep going. The little minx is now 20 months and running around the place, but I can still chase her in my chair!

The MS has changed me as a person, but not necessarily in a bad way. OK so I can’t drive, or walk, or write etc, but I’ve kept looking on the bright side as much as I can. For example, we get great parking and I get great tickets for gigs! I’ve seen more live music than ever and as a rock chick, I love it! I’m doing a home study course in diet and nutrition as I’d like to help people to lose weight after I lost 5 stone myself (so anything’s possible!).

Please feel free to ask me any questions and I will answer them. I’m honest and don’t mince my words!

See ya later

Julie xx