Laughing in the face of adversity

Nigel Bartram, diagnosed with primary progressive MS (PPMS) in 2009, tells us how humour has helped him during times of adversity – and inspired him to create a new book to raise funds for the MS Trust. But he needs YOUR help. 

So, I'm Nigel Bartram, a bit of an MS physical car crash, but thankfully with marbles and ability to enjoy life intact, not to mention still being able to laugh. I am 67, married with two children, a Brit but living in France for over 20 years. I was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in September 2009. Like many people with MS, weird things started befalling (yes that as well,) me over six years, for no apparent reason. I was too busy with one and half jobs and doing most of the home duties, as my wife was travelling a lot for her work, to pay proper attention to what was happening.

When the diagnosis finally came, I can honestly say it was a relief. I now understood why all those incontinence episodes and dropped foot stumbles had happened. Obviously realising I had MS wasn't exactly welcome news yet knowing what I was dealing was infinitely preferable to blundering around in the dark.

The MS Trust have helped me a lot over the years with their Aladdin's Cave of information.

The following year, my wife and I were on short cruise from Helsinki to St Petersburg when I got into a smuttily funny predicament caused by the MS. You can read about it here. And so the genesis of an idea was born. How about a book of funny things, albeit often in retrospect, which happened to people with MS precisely because of their MS? Maybe It could raise, money for MS charities. So I wrote up the first story and found a young artist to illustrate it. The book is titled MS a Funny Thing (well sometimes).

Later that year, I attended a week-long Overcoming MS retreat, during which I floated the book idea to the two facilitating doctors, one an MS'er and consultant psychiatrist, the other a globally renowned mindfulness authority. They loved it, knowing how every bit of joie de vivre is important for our mental well-being. You can read their endorsements on the website. 

All royalties from the book will go to a small group of MS charities, including the MS Trust who have helped me a lot over the years with their Aladdin's Cave of information. To make the book happen though, I need more funny stuff, which is where you come in. A pound to a penny something funny (or bizarre) has befallen you because of your MS; I want to hear about it! It could form a story (which I'm very happy to write up for you if you prefer,) or a poem. All works will be illustrated by a professional artist. As a bonus:

• The MS Trust will receive £50 for each of the first 10 book contributions accepted and;
• If you're one of the 10, you'll get a £25 Amazon voucher, or can donate the sum to the MS Trust.

So, please get scribbling, or just tell me you have an idea, either way please email me at nigel.bartram@varley-bartram.net. If you want to see some of the stories to date, look at the msafunnything.org website.

We and those around us need all the laughs we can get and the MS Trust needs funds, so let's make it happen!

*Please note, all views expressed in this article are those of Nigel and not of the MS Trust.