The art of living with MS

Over the past seven years, I have found myself (almost by mistake!) to be a self-employed artist. I produce large modern seascape paintings and make various products such as greetings cards, prints, bags, earrings, lamps - but my favourite has to be a kitchen splashback!

My art

I wish I could fully explain what art means to me. But to be really honest, I just feel it in my bones. When I paint, I feel I can breathe. I look at blank spaces and see how I could fill them. Art opens up conversations. It can shift the atmosphere in a room, and I love playing a role in that.

I found myself quite creatively lost after graduating from art school.  It took me many years to process some of the negative things about it and find my love of creating again. Many pieces that I thought were ‘good’ in the past, I would never create now. I have had to learn to accept that it is just part of the journey, and that those early works of my art practice taught me a lot.

Living with MS

I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS when I was pregnant with my first son. That was 13 years ago, although my symptoms started a long time before that. I have never been the type to cling to my diagnosis, and it doesn’t influence the content of my art. But art has been a real positive as I’ve learned to live with the condition.

While I don’t consciously think about it, creating is therapeutic in so many ways. It reduces stress, helps my mind focus and keeps ideas flowing.

In September 2024, I experienced an MS relapse that was far more intense than any I’d had before. It changed the way I live my life. I've become much more intentional about slowing down for the long term. 

Working through the relapse has been physically and mentally challenging. At times, producing artwork has kept me going. At other times, simply getting my body through a day in the studio has been incredibly difficult. Two years on, many of the physical symptoms have eased, but some have lingered.

My faith has also been a huge source of strength. I've come to realise there is no single treatment or solution that can take MS away. Lots of things can help, but for me, holding onto something bigger than myself is what gives me strength day to day.

Speaking openly

This past year, I chose to support the MS Society through my artwork. I wanted to take the opportunity to speak a little more about living with the condition and what that means for me.

So many MS symptoms are hidden. I hoped that by being more open, I could help people understand the reality of MS while also giving myself the freedom to admit I was finding things harder.

Being more open about my MS has been much more vulnerable than I was expecting! People around me suddenly felt permission to ask me questions I would normally have kept very private, and it definitely had me questioning if I’d made the right choice!

But I've also received messages that have stayed with me. Raising awareness can help people understand experiences they've never had themselves.

Supporting the MS Society

Even though I’ve been diagnosed for 13 years, I have found myself leaning on the MS Society the past two years more than ever before. They have helped me navigate everything from treatment decisions to exercise support and financial guidance. There are times it’s been the only place I’ve been able to go where people truly understand, and that’s meant a lot on really hard days.

I have been fortunate enough to be under the care of Professor Anna Williams as my neurologist. She has always encouraged things in the right direction, going at a pace I can cope with. She never invokes a sense of fear, and her calm and caring manner has kept me grounded.

She also researches remyelination at the University of Edinburgh. This past year, I started on a disease-modifying therapy (DMT). My first treatment wasn't sustainable because of the side effects, but I was able to switch to another option that's working beautifully. I know that wouldn't have been possible if researchers weren't working hard behind the scenes.

Through my fundraising, I hope to play a small part in helping create an even better future for people living with MS.

One thing I hope people take away

There is always more. No matter what people are facing in life, nothing is wasted. It can be used for positive change. To be human means eventually, one way or another, our bodies will fail us. We can’t hold onto health, but we can hold onto something more.

I don’t know what the future holds for me with MS, but I can focus on the things that are within my control. For me, using my art career to raise awareness is one way I can make a positive impact. For someone else, that might look completely different.

Linda Hoskins is supporting the MS Society as her Charity of the Year until August 2026, donating 10% of all her painting sales. You can find out more on her website.