
Taking on the Berlin marathon together
Suzanne was diagnosed with MS in 2003. Her close friend Leanda is running the Berlin marathon to raise awareness and funds for MS. Here they share their story and what they’re hoping to achieve.
Suzanne’s story
It was 1994 when I first experienced MS symptoms. It started with tingling in my toes. Within 24 hours the numbness and abnormal sensation spread from my shoulders down my entire body.
I spent a week in hospital and six weeks off work. I was struggling with fatigue and couldn’t walk very well. And there were changes in sensation in my whole body. The fatigue and problems with walking got better. But the changes in sensation never went away.
The doctors told me that I probably had MS and there was no treatment.
Official diagnosis
My symptoms returned in 2003. I had an MRI scan and I was diagnosed with MS. The doctors told me that my condition was unlikely to progress and I should go and live my life.

This was around the time Leanda and I became friends. She was one of the only people I told about my diagnosis. We’d met at work and began playing 5-a-side football as part of the Health Authority we worked for. We’ve got a lot in common. We share a love of being outside, walking, exploring and travelling.
Living with MS
I didn’t really talk about my diagnosis over the next 15 years. The impact of MS on my life was fairly minimal. I thought if it wasn’t affecting me, friends and family didn’t need to know. It would only worry them.
In reality, I think that I felt a bit of a fraud. My symptoms were mild compared to most people with MS. I thought that if I ignored it it might go away.

I continued to work full-time as a senior manager in the NHS. I travelled extensively both overseas and in the UK. And Leanda and I discovered lots of walking trails. We became passionate long-distance walkers. We regularly walked between 8 and 12 miles a day, for 4 or 5 days at a time.
Worsening symptoms
In 2018 I began to suffer from the occasional fall. My left foot got tired when I did too much. This foot drop happened more often and got worse.
I was referred to a neurologist when lockdown first hit. I had another MRI and the doctors said that my condition wouldn’t improve. And that none of the various disease modifying therapies (DMTs) available for MS were suitable for me.
I found this incredibly difficult to deal with. I realised that I would have to share my diagnosis with people close to me. And I couldn’t be as active as I used to be.
During the second lockdown of the pandemic, I suffered from unexpected debilitating fatigue. And walking became even more of an effort. I was scared to leave home or walk anywhere I didn’t know. I knew I might struggle to “make it back”. At my lowest point I struggled to walk for 500m without stopping. And I had severe anxiety about discussing my condition.
Looking to the future
I’m lucky to have a lot of love and support from friends and family. I’ve also got the help of a fantastic rehab team of a physio, a personal trainer and yoga teacher.
I’ve had counselling and been on anti-depressants. It’s helped me to come to terms with my condition. And I now know how to manage my symptoms.
I’m more comfortable talking about having MS. And I’ve developed an exercise programme that’s improved both my physical and mental health. I can now regularly walk up to 4 miles.
Leanda’s story
I met Suzanne in 2000 when I joined the NHS. We worked together for 3 years. During that time we became good friends and have remained so ever since.
Despite Suzanne’s MS diagnosis we could still play 5-a-side football together, take part in running events and do long-distance walking challenges. We’ve also enjoyed numerous holidays with our partners.
About three years ago Suzanne had a relapse. She’s had to step back from our more adventurous pastimes. But the desire’s still there.
Running marathons
I ran the London Marathon in 2005. It gave me an incredible adrenaline rush. I tried to secure another place over the years but was unsuccessful. And gradually my motivation waned.
Then all of a sudden I was over 60 years old! It was now or never. But I still needed an extra kick.
Throughout our 20+ years of friendship Suzanne’s supported me in all sorts of different ways. So here was an opportunity to reciprocate. I wanted to run for MS.
Doing it together
I’d like to think that this is a way of helping Suzanne fulfil that continued desire for adventure. We’re not running the actual race together. But there’s a lot that goes into it. I need help with fundraising, talking about MS and preparing for the race itself. It’s definitely a huge joint effort. And we get to go away for another holiday together.
Suzanne’s doing everything she can to manage her symptoms and slow down the progression of her MS. She’s passionate about raising awareness of living with MS. She wants people to know how unpredictable it can be. And the impact that stress and anxiety can have on symptoms. She’s a great example of how much exercise can support health and wellbeing for people with MS.
Doing the marathon means we get to work together on another challenge. Suzanne will be celebrating a big age milestone in December 2024. And this will help start off her 60th year with a bang.