Lis' MS journey: one woman and her bike

In May 2022, Fundraiser, Lis will be heading off on her very own 5,000 mile cycling challenge. In this blog, she shares how the idea came about and discusses why the support of the MS Trust was invaluable following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2013.

I often get asked how my fundraising idea came about. It didn’t happen overnight but instead, was the result of a series of events... 

In September of 2019, I had been invited to an event in Central London and pondered as to whether it would be just as quick to go by bicycle as opposed to the tube. I was utterly amazed to find out that it took almost the exact same time. Even better, on the bike, I felt exhilarated.  

I feel so free when riding. You see things very differently. 

Since then, I have hardly relied on public transport, instead using the bicycle whenever I’ve had to move around London and beyond. I feel so free when riding. You see things very differently. 

I summited Kilimanjaro and Gran Paradiso in my 20’s and ever since, have wanted to get back into the adventure world. I’ve done things in between then and now, but this next challenge is the biggest of them all. The seed of this idea was planted when I read Mike Carter’s book, ‘One Man and His Bike’ which shares Mike’s journey of embarking on a cycle ride around the British coastline. 

How could I not make my next challenge taking on the 5,000 miles of Great British coastline, just like Mike Carter had done? It will be a tough challenge but I believe I can do it!  There will be times when I know I’ll question my plan but equally there will be days that will be etched in my memory as the greatest ones.

Hot climates don’t suit me well. I have multiple sclerosis and as a result, I’m constantly warm. I was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis on 8 July 2013. I found it pretty bewildering, sitting with my new neurologist, being given the news. On the one hand I was relieved that there really was something wrong with me and that I wasn’t just exaggerating feeling so ill. On the other, I couldn’t see how I was going to get better. I had pins and needles (and still do) in my right hand. I’m left handed, thank goodness, but I can hardly hold anything in my right hand. The amount of cups, bowls and plates I’ve dropped ceases to amaze me now.

I feel as if I’m in a better place now and it’s time to give back and help others with multiple sclerosis.

I still have headaches, sometimes coupled with blurry vision, but these are now more manageable. I’ve had leg spasms in both legs and the more I sit down, the stiffer I get, so I try to keep moving as much as I can.  

That’s why I’m raising money for the MS Trust. I found their website and helpline one of the best places to seek reassurances and advice. Their YouTube channel is worth looking at too. 

I feel as if I’m in a better place now and it’s time to give back and help others with multiple sclerosis. It’s a daunting experience, made even more so when facing it alone. I have a great team behind me and they’ve given me the go ahead to do my challenge but wouldn’t it be amazing for all people with MS to be able to say that they have a great team behind them? 

The MS Trust will be keeping in touch with Lis' throughout her 5,000 mile journey. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates on her progress.