Barbara
“...I was a single parent when I was diagnosed with progressive Multiple Sclerosis. To say it changed my life is possibly no understatement.”
How do you explain to people that just because you look completely fine does not mean that you feel ok. This is a problem that is regularly experienced by people who don't outwardly look any different. Barbara has explained how her MS has impacted on her.
"Thirty five years ago when my two children were small and I was a single parent', I was diagnosed with progressive Multiple Sclerosis. To say it changed my life is possibly no understatement. Like most people I love sunny days and spending time with my family and friends. I also love my weekly singing sessions with the Tenovus choir. The odd tipple of red wine is also welcome and some may say that my singing even improves afterwards!
If I had to list things I do not like, I would have to include the rain, miserable people, being tired and not being able to pursue what I want to do. As no two days are the same, I have to plan my life on a weekly/daily basis. I try not to plan too many events in a given time, which is frustrating, but the severe fatigue from doing too much is unbelievable.”
“I recently gave in and invested in a mobility scooter which was a really hard decision for me but it has actually given me back my freedom!”
“MS manifests itself differently from person to person and mine affects my balance. I sometimes have a major balance malfunction and appear drunk and it restricts how far I can walk now. Basically, my head and heart want to do so much but my body has other ideas!
MS is invisible, except for when I appear drunk and lose my balance! Because there is no obvious outward signs, people assume the worse! They also don’t understand the symptoms I experience, the constant tingling and discomfort I get throughout my whole body, far worse when I am tired, sometimes preventing me getting to sleep. It’s invisible and people just don’t get it, I do appreciate that it’s very hard to understand and have pretty much stopped trying to explain.
The Beauty of Rare is important so that people understand that it’s not a case of one disability fits all, every one of us, disabled or not, are individuals and should be respected."
View the other Stories in the Beauty of Rare Exhibition
For more information or support’ please visit www.neurotherapycentre.org or www.mssociety.org.uk
If you wish to discuss this project or reproduce any images or story, please contact ceri@samebutdifferentcic.org.uk. The photographer on this project is Ceridwen Hughes (www.ceridwenhughes.com)