"I hope my legacy gift will bring us closer to a future free from MS"

After more than 20 years of living with MS, Amanda is determined that future generations should have better opportunities and treatments. And more reasons to hope than she did when she was diagnosed.

So when Amanda updated her will, she chose to support a cause that's made a meaningful difference to her life.

For Amanda, the MS Society stood out because of its ambition and its support for people living with MS today. And the exciting progress being made in research that could improve the future for everyone affected by MS.

Research is vital to help people living with MS live better now and also help them live better in the future. The MS Society has a goal to stop MS. You can't ask a charity to have a bolder vision.

Finding hope in the future

Amanda was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 2008. But her first symptoms had appeared years earlier while she was studying veterinary medicine.

As a vet, Amanda was used to caring for others. But living with MS meant she had to adapt her own life. Over time, fatigue, reduced dexterity in her hands and relapses affected her ability to work in the way she had before. She made the difficult decision to stop doing surgery and gradually reduced her hours.

I spent a few years burying my head in the sand, not acknowledging that my MS had changed and that I needed to adapt to live well with MS.

Today, Amanda has found a new balance. She continues to work as a part-time telemedicine vet from home. She has more time to spend with friends, to pursue hobbies and is looking forward to volunteering with us.

Don't let MS define you. You don't have to love having MS. Not every day is easy. There are good and bad days but, overall, I’ve managed to turn my disease and how it’s changed my career into a positive.

Power of research

Amanda's belief in the power of research grew stronger after attending our Legacy Event in Hereford. During the event, she heard more about the progress being made in MS research.

I loved hearing about the vision of the MS Society, getting an insight into their research and where it’s going, about Octopus, all of which was fascinating and got my science head excited again.

With her background in science and medicine, Amanda was inspired by the opportunities to contribute her experience. She's now exploring volunteering with MS Research.

She also learned about the MS Society Tissue Bank, which plays a vital role in helping researchers understand MS. The donated tissues are helping scientists around the world advance our understanding of MS.

Amanda decided to include a gift in her will to support our future work. And she's chosen to donate her brain and spinal cord to the MS Tissue Bank after her death. Her generous gift will help researchers continue to build knowledge that could improve lives in years to come.

I left the event knowing that I wanted to donate my brain and spinal cord to the MS Tissue Bank, to be part of their ongoing research.

For Amanda, both decisions came from the same place. A desire to help create a future where fewer people have to face the uncertainty and challenges that come with MS.

A legacy of hope

Amanda believes that progress happens because people choose to invest in the future. Leaving a gift in her will is one way she can continue helping others long after her lifetime.

I hope my legacy gift will help future generations live happier lives, reduce disease progression and one day help prevent MS in the first place.

If I can make somebody's life with MS better in the future and enable them to live well with their MS when I'm no longer here, then that would be amazing. And it would be even better to help fund research to help stop anyone having to face a future with MS.

Write your will for free with Octopus Legacy

Writing or updating your will is an opportunity to make sure your values and relationships are honoured. No matter what the future holds.

We've teamed up with Octopus Legacy to help you write a will to protect your wishes. They're offering you a free, simple and secure way to write or update your will.

So why not visit the Octopus Legacy website and use voucher code: MSSFREE to write your will for free. Their legal team will check your will and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or if you'd prefer to make your will over the phone, please call 020 4525 3605. You can also arrange a face-to-face appointment by phone.

Online will writing service for Scotland will be available after 1 October.

Write your will with Octopus Legacy