Kate's love for life makes her the heroine of her MS story

Being told I had MS in 1987 at the age of 21 is a bit of a blur. I think my mum was more in a state of shock than I was.

At first, it was thought I had a brain tumour. After loads of tests, including an MRI scan and a lumber puncture, we were advised that it could be MS.

However, the tests were inconclusive. I was told that I should just get on and live my life and that if it happened again, MS was likely the cause. I was also told not to worry as they were so close to finding a cure.

I dumped the leaflets given to me in the bin as they had absolutely no relevance to me at all.

After the news, I carried on with my life. However, it was constantly there in the back of my mind like a ticking time bomb. I just thought, would it happen again?

After four years, I had a relapse and that confirmed my fate. No joining the police or ambulance crew (as it was called then) for me, so I continued to work full time (on and off between relapses) as a secretary.

But, in the end it became all too painful. The leg stiffness resulted in walking with one stick, then two and eventually a walking frame.

Once when trying to pick up my dog poo in the garden, I fell. The options were fall in the poo, or twist as I fell, which is what opted for. Of course, I failed to take into consideration that there was a concrete path to my side, which I hit with an almighty thud.

Life wasn’t all bad. I had some good times and not so good times. Life carried on, just slightly differently to what I had imagined.

Now, I’m the ripe old age of 55 with still no cure. I’ve tried everything from yoga to shiatsu massage, acupuncture, diet, faith healing and beta interferon injections.

I’m so grateful for everything.  My husband, my dear patient family and my lovely friends.

But there’s always the ‘what would I have been like if I didn’t have MS?’ question in my mind.

In my imagination, I’d be so glamorous with long hair and a gym toned body. I’d be able to stand, walk and even run daily. I’d be living life to the full.

But would I be happier? Would I feel more complete? I’m not sure.

Alongside the joys of MS, I was diagnosed as type one diabetic. My days are so regimented by times of carer visits, insulin injections, hospital visits and doctor and nurse visits.

Oh, and please don’t start me on the complications of organising holidays!

Some might say that this is an unlucky and even tragic existence. Believe me, even I have bad days, but I find peace of mind in the simplest things.

I am as contented in my life as I can be. One thing I will forever and always be known for is that I’m the heroine of my story, NOT the victim.