Creating awareness

Sandra’s on a mission to spread awareness of MS with some clothing designs

My first symptoms started in 2013. When I got into the bath, one leg felt cold as it entered the water, and one felt warm. I also began losing control of my bladder in the same time period. I had itching sensations on my back, and no amount of scratching would help relieve that feeling. I also suffer with heat sensitivity. When out in the sun, the increased temperature of my muscles causes me to be unable to do simple things like lift my leg. I also now have poor walking and mobility as well as poor balance.

I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis in 2013. After reoccurring symptoms, bowel issues and mobility problems, I was eventually diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) following an MRI scan in 2014.

A learning process

I didn’t know anything about MS, or anyone that had MS. The only information I had to go off was my own symptoms. I was very unaware of what MS entailed and the effects on daily life, so it was a learning process for me.

I started off on the treatment Rebif (interferon beta-1a), which saw me having three treatments a week. I didn’t like these very much. I then changed to Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) which is a tablet twice a day, and I’m still on this now.

I also take amitriptyline for nerve pain, mirabegron for my bladder and I take a vitamin D supplement. This year I want to look into complimentary therapies, too.

Family life

My children and now 24 and 26 and are very supportive and help me when I need it. They’ve grown up with me having MS so they know all about it. All of my family members are aware of my condition and are very understanding. They are a great support and allow me to live my life as easily as possible.

Life is different now, and I try to take every day as it comes. I try and do as much as I can each day. Walking is a big issue for me currently, so this limits my activity and ability to perform tasks, but I do try my best with what I can do.

 I’m sure I’m not the only one to have experienced odd looks from passers-by, or questions from people asking if I’m ‘drunk’ due to my mobility issues. I wanted to create something that promoted my condition in order to reduce the judgement given by others. I have created printed T-shirts, hoodies and car window stickers to raise awareness of MS. All print work is on the back of the clothing so people can read the print and understand when walking behind me.

My advice

To anyone newly diagnosed, my biggest advice would be do everything you want as early as you can. You never know how quickly your symptoms can deteriorate, so I would urge people to do whatever they want and not wait. Try also to not listen to the negatives surrounding the condition – you can still do things, maybe not as easily, or in the same as everyone else, but you can still do something.

Sandra will be donating a percentage of all sales of her clothing and stickers to MS-UK. To find out more about Sandra’s clothing and stickers range, email her on s.elday@yaoo.com