Walking my dog is key to my wellbeing

Dawn Whitehouse is joining #TeamPurple this month!

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in April 2007. I started walking into things and I suffered with fatigue which meant that my legs would become heavy feeling and I would fall over whilst walking for no apparent reason.

I was in a very physically demanding job as a pastry chef within Michelin in star restaurants. It became increasingly hard for me as I work very demanding hours and I started to have a number of accidents. I became suspicious that something was wrong.

Once I received my diagnosis, I felt shocked but also relieved. It was obviously a very difficult period in my life, however I was able to research and put my mind at rest of what I actually was dealing with. I swore that it wouldn’t beat me and I would do my best to have a normal life.

So I’ve had MS for a number of years now so I try not for it to not get in my way. However I obviously suffer with fatigue and have reduced mobility, I can find myself quite sleepy and I have good days and bad days, I am more reliant on my husband for things such as the shopping. It’s also affected my motor skills.  I had to stop learning to drive as It was difficult for me to keep to straight lines. I often walk like I’m little drunk which is very hard when out and about, hence is one of the reasons I use aid to help me. I generally try not to let things get me down.

For the Big Purple Dog Walk, I have set a challenge of 12 miles which is a breeze for my dog but to me it will be quite challenging.  I try to walk  tSuki everyday but I’m not always able to which I find very frustrating  but I keep positive!  I have huge support from my husband and daughter.

tSuki is a what they call a pocket pointer, which is very much like a short haired German Pointer, just much smaller, around 12kg in weight. She will be six years old in April . tSuki was a rescue from Cyprus. She was strongly recommended to us by the charity that we got her from as we explained to them about my MS and having a daughter on the spectrum. She is a gentle, affectionate, and loving dog – it’s like she knows when I’m having a bad day and is an integral part of our family. My ‘fur baby’  I call her. She is very calm and walks well on the lead and she responds well to requests. If I’m struggling on the way home she gently pulls  guides me home safely.

The name of the charity we got her from is Polis Pound. We would wholeheartedly recommend them – they were brilliant – professional and caring at the same time.

The benefits will be obviously the exercise and getting out and about, but my whole wellbeing is also key. I meet so many people walking tSuki and it’s made a huge difference to my life.

I feel less isolated as I’m out in the fresh air and I have made friends in my local park so we have chats with people we meet whilst walking. I love being out with tSuki, she also brings me a lot of happiness because she had a very hard start in life.