Ablepreneurs Stories 

I can remember rushing around in a multi-story car park one winter's day, trying to find my car because I couldn't remember where it was and my vision blurred. I just thought it was a blood pressure thing because by the time I got home and rested it had cleared up but I thought I'd better get it checked out at the opticians just in case. This I did, which then led to various hospital appointments and an MRI and a lumbar puncture, all of which came to the conclusion that I was living with Multiple Sclerosis. The reason why one of my eyes had blurred was because I had a scar on my optic nerve. Whenever I got hot or even just drank a hot drink, the optic nerve expanded (as everything does and you get old as you get hot). It meant that I was actually trying to see through my scar tissue, which is why it was blurry.

When you are only 32 years old, being told you have a degenerative incurable condition, takes time to get your head around it. What I found absolutely fascinating was when the consultant showed me my MRI. It was just like someone had been busy using Tippex! Obviously it was the scar tissue. I did not tell my parents for a good 12-18 months because I knew my dad would blame himself. Two out of three people who are diagnosed with MS are females. It is not hereditary but there is a tendency towards it in families. My dad's mum had MS, which is why I didn't want him to feel as if it was his fault because it wasn't. It's just one of those ‘things’.

My main symptoms include fatigue, numbness and neuropathic pain. The MS is fundamentally down my right side so my right arm and my right leg. I was ill health retired from work, about ten years later the stress of work made me tired. I'm not just talking about tired yawning. I'm talking about falling asleep at your desk, tired. After six months it was agreed to be signed off.

I could have seen this as the start of the end but with also becoming a grandma I decided it was the best thing. I and someone who believes that everything happens for a reason and this was my time to change. I created my own business, AnyGreenWillDo, in order to try and create a better, safer, and healthier future for my granddaughter, who is now eleven.

I have had to pivot somewhat during this time. I have support via Access to Work. I have an amazing carbon fibre wheelchair, a VA, and I am in the process of trying to acquire someone to help me three hours a week doing the more physical things I struggle with.

I don't think I wouldn't change anything because I wouldn't be who I am today if things hadn't happened to me. It has definitely made me stronger. I listen to my body more and I realize what is important and what is to worry about. I certainly do not do stress!