Beverley woman encourages other MS sufferers to sign up to support sessions

A 55-year-old woman from Beverley is speaking out about how the MS Society’s ‘Living Well with MS’ sessions have helped her manage her condition – in the hope others will sign up too.

Rachael Tomlinson was diagnosed with the primary progressive form of multiple sclerosis in 2017 after suffering from symptoms for years before finding out she had the condition.

Rachael now faces several MS symptoms including weakness down one side, dizziness, problems with her balance, spasticity and bladder and bowel issues – all of these are made worse by fatigue.

As a result of her symptoms, Rachael uses a walker and an electric wheelchair to get around.

Despite being medically retired, Rachael volunteers for a number of organisations including the MS Society, RSPCA and Unite Community.

Rachael was involved in setting up the ‘Living Well with MS’ sessions as a volunteer and has taken part in lots of them too, saying they’ve been hugely beneficial: “It can be invaluable what you get from other people.

“Sharing your own experience can be really invaluable too.

“It keeps you in the loop, there’s lots of useful information in the webinars that you wouldn’t necessarily get elsewhere,

“The MS nurses and neuro physios know exactly what they’re talking about.”

Rachael also sat on the panel for one session.

She added: “I’ve recently taken part in the newly diagnosed session.

“It was really, really beneficial and I didn’t go into it for that.

“It was over two weeks and we explained our experiences.

“It brought me back into the spotlight of talking about MS.

“I tend to brush over it now until it affects what I’m doing.

“I normally throw myself into support mode to try and help others, but it felt invaluable to share.”

There is a huge amount of support available through the programme including information webinars covering different topics each month.

They focus on things like research developments, pregnancy and MS and how to talk to children about MS, there are also wellbeing sessions which connect people with MS with others across the UK.

Over 130,000 people live with MS in the UK, MS damages nerves in your body and makes it harder to do everyday things, like walk, talk, eat and think.

Tracey Harrison, from the MS Society and runs the ‘Living Well with MS’ programme, said: “MS is relentless, painful and disabling.

“It’s an unpredictable condition and is different for everyone.

“That’s why we offer such a huge range of support through our ‘Living Well with MS’ sessions so there’s something for everyone from those who may have only been diagnosed recently to people who have had MS for many years.

“The sessions are a way of bringing people with MS together to discuss issues that may be affecting them from changing symptoms to talking about family life.

“We always aim to make them really friendly and open.”

To find out more about the MS Society’s ‘Living Well with MS’ programme and the courses and webinars on offer, visit: mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/virtual-support-events.