Each donation is a building block
Chris, who lives with secondary progressive MS, talks about the importance of hope. And how small actions can lead to life-changing results.
There aren’t many treatments (disease modifying therapies) when you have progressive MS. It can feel like the candle of hope going out. Research is important because it can light a flame to say: there is hope.
I think there will be a cure for MS at some point. Nobody knows when and it’s a long term goal but the only way we're going to find out is by trials. Trials and tribulations, really!
From relapsing remitting to secondary progressive MS
When I was first diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS, I was in the mindset of ‘I don’t want to know or hear anything about MS’. A bit of self denial really, pretending nothing had changed in my life - when it had.
Once I was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS, I thought I’d be in a stage of grief again. But I was actually more settled. I think that was probably down to the time I had with relapsing remitting MS. They say time is a great healer, and it helped me to get to know myself with MS and learn more about the condition.
Acceptance alongside hope
After my secondary progressive MS diagnosis when treatments stopped working for me, I accepted it. I could see the changes in myself. I’d read about progressive MS and I felt prepared for it – so I coped better than I did with my initial diagnosis.
In a strange way I felt I wanted to try and manage it without the medication. But if researchers found a way to repair myelin, it would be a godsend really. I think it would bring hope for a lot of people.
And how did MS come about in the first place? There’s a giant question mark on it. Maybe one day we can erase this giant question mark. Then we could prevent the whole condition.
I’ve lived with the condition for nearly a decade and I'm a very content individual. I've learnt to live with it. But if they could prevent it for others, it would bring a major smile to my face.
The impact of research is far reaching
MS doesn’t just affect me, it affects my family as well. So if people didn’t have to go through that struggle, it would be a major change for a lot of families, for a lot of people.
My family have been a crutch for me really. They’ve been kind and good and loving, as best they can. They have been there for me, especially when I’ve had my bad times. It’s been a learning curve for them. They’ve learnt things from me that they wouldn’t have learnt if I hadn’t had MS. They didn’t know much about MS until I ended up living with it as well.
Small gifts can make a big difference
A few years ago I was given some funding towards five Ju Jitsu lessons. Now I eat, sleep and breathe Ju Jitsu! Without that funding, I may not be at the grade I’m at now. Back then, I was beginning my white belt – now I’m aiming for my brown belt.
Research is expensive, you’ve got to think about everything it involves. Every penny counts. If you give a donation, it could change history. A building isn’t built from one brick, it’s numerous bricks. Your donations are the cement for this building to be built.
My main hope is there’ll be a cure for MS one day. I’d like to witness that in my lifetime. In the meantime, I hope that there are new discoveries to slow down or stop the progression, so people can continue to be independent for as long as they can.
Let’s give one final push to stop MS, together
We’re closer than ever to finding treatments that work for everyone living with MS. Will you help fund the treatment revolution?
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