Update- March 2001-
Sylvie with good friend Stephen Singleton (left) and partner Steve (right)
In the Summer of 2000 I climbed Snowdon again. This time with a team
of First Main-line bus drivers! We had a lot of fun and raised funds for
the new bigger and better building the Sheffield
MS Therapy Centre is planning to move to in the Summer of 2001.
Since September I have become involved in setting up GYMS
(Group for Young MSers) which is a self-help and support group for
Under 35's with Multiple Sclerosis in the Sheffield region. I produce
a bimonthly newsletter and am busy seeking funding for the group. So
far there are sixty young people with MS on my list. We also hold bimonthly
meetings and it will be interesting to see how this Group develops!
In Early November 2000 I enjoyed a much needed month in the sunny Florida
Keys once again with Steve. I feel very lucky to have found a real man,
who can actually give me much improved 'health' through such trips.
That is not the reason I love him, there are no conditions, but it sure
is a bonus. Because of my set-back in the Autumn (see below) I feel
extremely privaledged to have such wonderful opportunities in my life,
such as this, opportunities that all started from my concious realisation
that I actually deserved the best!
This year (2001) I have started a 'html course' at Croft House in
Sheffield to improve my web-design skills! I am also self-teaching myself
Dreamweaver. Again I find it remarkable how this course appeared out
of the blue, in a place I can get to on independantly on my mobility
scooter, a course that I can afford (it's FREE!), and exactly what I
was looking for! I hope to use my webdesign skills in the future to
set-up a buisness from home at a time that is right for me!
Health Update!
In the Autumn 2000 the weather in England was dreadful with rain and floods!
It hit many people with MS pretty hard. I ended up on a vicious cycle
of UTI's, taking Anti-biotics, and relapsing, which looking back, I see
really messed up my gut. In the end MS got the better of me as I was gripped
with ANXIETY about my forth-coming trip to the Florida Keys again with
Steve. I was so frightened I might not be able to get there!
I decided to take intraveneous steroids (my fifth and final lot!) just
before my trip, not because I had too but because as a 'living guinea-pig'
I was interesting in the effect they may have. I got my answer to this
that infact they do me VERY LITTLE GOOD, loosened my legs up a bit but
the side-effects were awful and felt very UNNATURAL. I have learnt from
this experiment and my conclusion is NEVER AGAIN! It is best to face any
situation and let your body recover naturally in it's own time. I now
know there there really are no 'quick-fixes'!
I got to wonderful Florida and the month of swimming and sunshine put
me back on track! The healing power of sunshine is really remarkable!
Since this time (November 2000) I have been walking well (short distances
with just a stick!), and feeling pretty strong and functional. I have
started taking the vitamin D3 (3000IU) supplement as well as Grape Seed
Extract (GSX) in the form of Soopergrape (
www.soopergrape.com ) So far these supplements seem to be working
for me!
Sylvie swimming with Tina the dolphin on Grassy Key!
(December 2000)
I have managed to avoid all medication (i.e. anti-biotics) thanks to
Cranberry & Aloe Vera juice and feel my Gut is recovering well. I am determined
to continue on my Journey to Wellness. I learn so much about my body,
and myself from this Journey with MS and am becoming so much more Self-Aware.
I am realising that Anxiety, Fear & Stress are still big issues for me
in living with MS, and I am working through a lot of factors related to
this. But I am happier than I have been is a very long time.
I feel in tune with myself and life is throwing so many opportunities
and challenges my way, it is wonderful. It never ceases to amaze me how
this Universe works when you listen and work with it! It is truly remarkable
and so much of our 'reality' starts from within! I am at the point now
where I can actually take full responsibility for MS in my life. Yes life
with MS is still difficult but I accept it and have found my peace with
it. I really believe given time it will be the making of me!
to read more Part Three of my Autobiography (Update Sept 2002)
|
MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MS -PART 2