"MS does not mean that I should stop living"

I have Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), diagnosed 18 months ago. I found out about and started attending strength and balance classes at St Andrews Hospice outpatients department in Airdrie in January this year.  

First time I went I was greeted by the lovely David at the desk, who continues to greet me every week with a smile. He also amazes me how he memorises everyone’s name. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect going into the class as I struggled socially for many years, but I was made very welcome. Joe introduced me to everyone and everyone was very friendly and made me feel most welcome. 

Prior to attending the class my mobility was declining and my mental health wasn’t great but now I feel improvements and my mental health has improved greatly. I go out the house with a much greater sense of confidence and I manage each day with a more positive attitude than I ever had before. MS does not mean that I should stop living and I realise that now. 

My bad days are much less now and I look forward to strength and balance classes every week. The exercises feel very tailored to neurological conditions and we don’t do the same exercises each week, but change is good and I also like getting pushed that bit further. Joe explains the exercises to us and how these exercises are applicable to our every day life. He also asks us for feedback which is something you don’t often hear in a fitness class. Joe looks after us all and if there is an exercise I can’t do, if I am having a bad leg day for example and I can’t move much, Joe will show me how to adapt the exercise to do on a chair. 

I very much enjoy these classes and I have made some very good friends through attending these classes and we often go to the cafe for some tea and lunch after or before the class. I personally feel that exercise is what is keeping me stable, and I believe it is stopping my MS progressing. These classes also helps alleviate a lot of the dreadful fatigue I used to feel several times a day to a now much more manageable level. 

More recently I also started attending Joe’s tai chi class. Tai chi was something I wasn’t sure I would enjoy but after going that first week I was completely hooked and couldn’t wait to go back the following week. We all have a variety of ability in the class and he adapts to suit every individual which says a lot about Joe and how much he cares for people. This really shows. I feel relaxed after my tai chi class, so much so that one week I managed to make it back to my car and home without my crutch as I was so relaxed that I must have floated back to my car. This class, as well as the strength and balance helps my balance greatly and improves my cognitive function. My strength has also increased and I have purchased some small hand weights to practice in between classes as I realise the importance of keeping on top of my fitness and trying to stay one step ahead of this awful disease. 

Joe makes these classes what they are. He is always keen to help us be our best selves and he is amazing at what he does and really knows exactly what he is doing in terms of fitness, plus adapting fitness to suit certain conditions, for example MS and Parkinson’s disease.  Thank you to everyone at the centre, especially Joe.