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The Retro from Scratch Blog
April2025
Living with Multiple Sclerosis: How I Manage My Health and My Business
MS Awareness Week April 28 - May 4
I wanted to take a moment to share a little about my journey—how I was diagnosed, how it affects my life, and most importantly, how I manage it all while running my own creative business.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) back in 2009, a year after my first symptoms appeared. It started quite dramatically: I lost the sight in one eye. Thankfully, that came back over time, but it marked the beginning of a long journey with a condition that can be unpredictable and, at times, incredibly frustrating.
I fundraised for the MS Trust by selling a special range of notebooks and donating a percentage, I raised over £200
Over the years, I’ve experienced a whole host of symptoms—numbness and lack of coordination in my right arm, that strange treacle-like heaviness in my legs, balance issues, and an odd one: hearing my own voice echo in my head (way more annoying than you'd imagine!). There have also been days where finding the right words is tricky, and times when I’ve had to deal with bladder urgency and neuropathic pain.
The thing about MS is that it’s not constant. Some symptoms come and go. Some flare up with the seasons—yes, even a change in weather can throw things out of balance. But I’ve learned to work with my body, not against it.
Bert joined us as we skated around Goodwood Race Track for the MS Trust
I take disease-modifying drugs to help slow the progression. They don’t relieve the symptoms, but regular MRI scans show that since starting a new medication in 2017, the activity in my brain and spine has been minimal—which is incredibly encouraging. It’s a strange comfort to know that something invisible might be quietly doing its job.
Looking after my health means doing lots of little things consistently. I eat when I’m hungry (which sounds basic, but is so important). I pace myself—if I have a busy day coming up, I make sure I’ve got time to rest before and after. Movement is essential too, and that's where our lovely dog Bert comes in. Two walks a day, come rain or shine, are great for both my physical health and mental wellbeing.
I love our dog walks. We even have our own dog walking page on Instagram and Facebook, 'Follow the Paws Outdoors'
But the biggest and most empowering shift in my health came when I took the leap to run my own business full time.
I was absolutely terrified—no sick pay, no paid holidays, and a whole lot of responsibility. But it also meant no more stressful morning commutes or asking permission to take time off for blood tests (which I need every three months to check my meds aren’t doing more harm than good). Now, I have the freedom and flexibility to manage my health in a way that works for me. I can build my days around my energy levels. I can rest when I need to. And I can pour my energy into something I love—creating beautiful things, connecting with others, and doing meaningful work.
I was proud to take part in a campaign for MS by Novartis in January 2020. I was 'The Entrepreneur'.
MS may be a part of my life, but it doesn’t define it. I’ve learned how to live alongside it, adapt when I need to, and embrace the freedom that comes from working in a way that supports my body and soul.
If you’re navigating MS (or any chronic illness), know that you're not alone. And if you're here as part of my little crafting community—thank you for being part of the journey.