This week, Love Hemp are supporting #MSawarenessWeek
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition which affects millions of people all over the world, with more than 130,000 people in the UK having a diagnosis of MS. Most people are likely to find out they have MS in their thirties, forties and fifties, but the first signs of MS can often start many years earlier, and it is usually a few years later that they get their diagnosis.
MS is a condition which affects the brain and spinal cord. It can cause a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with balance, mobility, vision and even memory and emotions. It is a lifelong condition which typically affects 3-4 times more women than men. Although it is a lifelong condition which people must adapt to, fortunately there are many medications which can ease the symptoms.
Long-term Love Hemp customer, @lottierainbow, has MS and spoke to us earlier this week about her experiences and what life is like following her diagnosis.
“MS is an invisible illness – it causes nerve damage in the brain which often leads to debilitating symptoms which you can’t see.”
“I think the main thing I would say about my experience of MS so far is that it is a complete emotional rollercoaster and such a traumatising, worrying and isolating time during the diagnosis period from new and scary symptoms, to endless appointments and working out the next step of treatment. Anyone feeling this way is absolutely not alone - it is an extremely tough time but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is worth riding the rollercoaster for. My main piece of advice for anyone recently diagnosed with a chronic illness is to give yourself time - time to be upset, angry, frustrated and time to heal. This is a lot and you can only do your best. Every day may not be good, but there are better days coming.”
Lottie shares more of her story in a vlog on her YouTube channel, which can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asojIcSGzMM
How can you get involved to help?
There are some fantastic charities that work tirelessly to raise awareness and raise funds that can go into expert research into new treatments and medications. Lottie is taking part in a charity walk on 25th April as part of the @mstogetherofficial group. Collectively, they are either walking/running/wheeling two million steps for the wonderful charity @ms_trust . If you would like an excuse to get outside, get active and take part in this team effort to raise money for MS, click here for more info on how to get involved: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mstogether
