Taking part in MS: Play was great fun

MS: Play is the MS Trust’s gaming challenge where you raise money to support those living with MS through gaming! Yes, gaming! Last year, Audrey took part in a 24hr MS: Play gaming marathon and raised over £700 to support our work. Here, Audrey shares her reasons for taking part and why you should take on your very own gaming challenge for the MS Trust…

The MS Trust has helped me massively since my husband Jon was diagnosed with MS last year. He had been ill with suspected labyrinthitis for 8 weeks and was eventually admitted to hospital to be told there were lesions in his brain and spine, and that it was probably MS. As soon as the neurologist left the room the first thing we did was Google what MS actually was and we came across the MS Trust website. It has been a wealth of knowledge for all things MS related since his diagnosis. I personally felt that soaking up as much information as I could made me feel more in control of the situation and more prepared to help Jon through all of this. I was also amazed to see that it was MS Trust information that was provided by the MS specialist nurse at our first appointment.

I’m a huge girl gamer and had already been looking at ways to fundraise but I’m not one for running long distances or throwing myself out of planes. It just so happened that the date the challenge fell on was actually my birthday. 

So what better way to spend my birthday than doing something I love whilst raising money for a charity that gives so much?

Taking part in MS: Play was great fun and it looks like I could be doing it again in June! There is a Facebook group for those taking part and we were popping into each other’s streams for support and encouragement. I had never streamed before but the team give you all the help and information you need to get started and all overlays are provided for you.

I’m not going to lie, I was also pretty excited about making the target for my MS: Play t-shirt!

My tip would be to try and encourage someone to jump on for a bit with you. I am extremely lucky to have two friends, Callum and Nick, who joined me online and kept me going when I was ready to snooze on the sofa. Callum even managed to stay on for the full 24 hours with me. I honestly can’t thank them enough. If you have friends helping out, you could even look at setting up a team Just Giving page if they wanted to help raise money too.

For anyone caring for someone with MS, please make time for yourself.

W​​​​​​hether that be a relaxing bath, a good blether with your friends or just getting out for a walk. You are also going through the rollercoaster that is MS and it’s important that you also have a great support network round you. Also, if your loved one blames brain fog for forgetting to do the dishes, don’t believe them!

For those living with MS, it is also completely natural to feel every emotion under the sun. I know it won’t feel like it initially, but an MS diagnosis can be the catalyst for lots of positive changes in your life. Jon and I are now following a much healthier diet and lifestyle which has helped massively with fatigue levels (for both of us!) We do more things for us and make more time for each other. We appreciate the little things in life a lot more now. It really gives you a new perspective on life and who/what is really important.