A teenager living with MS: remembering diagnosis
My MS symptoms started at a very young age. I was only 3 years and 10 months old when I started showing signs of MS by going blind. First in my left eye, and then in my right.
I’m now 17 and I am studying A-Levels at college. I’m able to control my MS a lot better now.
I only remember fragments of the time I was diagnosed, as I was so young – I had just turned 5 years old.
Cards and cake for Cinderella
The start of the day was as normal as any other, well apart from it being my birthday. I was opening presents and cards and enjoying my day. I also had a party, a Disney princess themed one, with all my friends invited.
I was dressed up as my favourite Disney princess, Cinderella. I was excited like any other 5 year old would be.
MS relapse - not a present I would’ve chosen for myself
It wasn’t until later that day that the ‘princess feeling’ faded away very quickly. I remember running into the kitchen shouting to my mam saying, “I don’t feel well”. Soon after I said those words I collapsed and had a relapse.
I don’t really remember as much after that, apart from waking up in a hospital bed with my mam and dad beside me.
Hospitals, ice-cream and clowns
I don’t really remember as much after that, apart from waking up in a hospital bed with my mam and dad beside me.
The only positive memories I have from hospitals when I was younger was the abundance of vanilla ice cream tubs I used to get.
And when the clown doctors, who came in to the ward to cheer the kids up, asked me what was my favourite colour and I left them speechless when I simply responded saying “indigo and violet”, which even left my mam and dad shocked. I’m glad I made people laugh anyway.
