A shift in perspective: numbness changed everything

Facing numbness spreading down the right side of his body, active gym enthusiast William knew something was wrong. Find out how he’s changed his lifestyle to support himself.

I used to work in a supermarket, and I was really into my fitness. I used to train in the gym 5–6 days a week. I loved being active. 

On March 16, 2022, I woke up for work and my hand was numb. I continued with my day and thought nothing of it. As the days went on, my numbness got worse, lingered in my body for longer, and spread.

It was almost like a stroke. But instead of it spreading down my arm, it went up my arm to my head and all the way down the right side of my body. It got to the point where I couldn’t pick anything up. 

I had to ask my partner to cut my food up for me, and I lost all sense, feeling, and coordination in my hand and arm. 

Being right-handed, I had to attempt to use my left for every-day use. I honestly didn’t know what to do. I was signed off work for 3-4 months. 

Then, I got told I wasn’t allowed to go to the gym because they didn’t know what was wrong with me. I had to sit in my house, and this was slowly driving me insane. Having something like this scared me.

This took a mental toll on my health, as I couldn’t get a definitive answer from anyone as it was so early.

I remember going to hospital and being told this was my first episode of MS, but it was a single-lesion demyelination. After hearing this, I was told I was allowed back in the gym and would start to live my life a bit more again.

Video games were useful to improve my hand coordination and I started exercising again. Although, I used to get worried as my hand would still go numb when I got too hot.

I surrounded myself with good people. One of them being my girlfriend, who supported me, kept my spirits up, and always showed me there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

She's been through it all with me, and honestly, I couldn’t thank her enough.

Ben Tansley, the owner of the gym I go to, was paralysed from the chest down, but after years of working hard, he can move, walk, and train. He was a big motivation for me, as he honestly told me anything was possible and told me to keep on it.

When I got diagnosed with MS after three more lesions appeared on February 17, 2024, this was a lot for me to take in. I looked at it and felt like it identified who I was.

I didn’t really show I was bothered by it, avoided talking about it, and tried to push it to one side. It got to the point where I would let the negatives overcome the positives in my life.

Since my episode, I have managed to recover, and I can use my right side of the body. I will always consider myself lucky as I’ve known people who haven’t fully recovered. I do sometimes get hot, and my body will go numb, but I know this is common. I just try and cool myself down and not stress about it.

I’m back at work. I’ve changed my job due to what happened with my first episode. I have gone from a physical job into an office job, but I continue to go to the gym and stay active.

Since my episode I have tried to live my life a little more. I’ve gone abroad frequently. Plus, I’m doing things like climbing Snowdon to push myself.

I run more as I don’t want to take things for granted. I have changed my food and diet. Now, I try to eat healthy, nutritious food and I’ve improved my relationship with what I eat.

I’ve accepted the condition. 

I want to help people realise this isn’t a label, and it’s the beginning of a new journey. My goal is to train for a Hyrox (a fitness race that combines running and functional exercise) this year to spread awareness and raise some money for MS charities.

I want people to know you’re not alone. The MS community is here with you.