I am 54 years of age, and I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 40.
And so for the last 14 years, I have lived with this condition, which let’s face it is not the worst kind of neurological condition. There are many conditions which are far more devastating than MS, not least of all motor neurone disease (MND).
MS can be extremely aggressive, but in my case has been mildly progressive, and though it has taken from me my ability to function as I might have taken for granted I have at least retained my capacity for language, and thought.
This at least his given me the capacity to continue with what has for me always been an important aspect to my life.
Although I have published numerous poems, I have never been able to sell a short story, and although I have self published my own book of short stories, as well as a couple of volumes of my own poetry, I have never even approached a publisher with a view to being taken seriously as a writer.
This does not mean that I have given up with this dream of mine.
Since I am able to use voice-activated software to type more effectively than I ever could, and have written three novels to date, although to be honest none of them are entirely finished.
Perhaps this final step is one that I am overly cautious about, because I might feel obliged to self publish a finished novel. And perhaps I am happier having written three incomplete novels, rather than the three novels that I could submit to knows that Express a professional opinion about.
But language remains something important to me.
Although when I went to university and, as the combination of my education, I studied for a degree in philosophy, sometimes regretting with hindsight that I did not have the perseverance for a degree in English literature.
But playing with language is something that is close to my heart, whether in my continued writing or as a matter of course in my daily life.
For example, with the staff of people that are responsible for my daily care and support.
Perhaps I am fortunate that in today’s UK social care I am able to benefit from a new way in which people are cared for, so that instead of simply receiving support From an agency with whom my relationship is simply that of a client with needs to be met, I have been enabled to employ my own staff directly, went to afford to exercise choice over whom those people are.
Since the people that care for me are my most important social contact these days, this is a sensible development.
Hopefully, my carers gain as much enjoyment from working in this different environment to alternatives that would have been current before this scheme called self directed support.
I suppose I am fortunate to have had some experience of previously having taken responsibility for employees, owing to the nature of my work before I was diagnosed with MS.
A not for profit organisation has been appointed locally to support people like myself with things like accounting for tax and the other responsibilities that come with employment.
And so local authorities are able to operate without the need to make the kind of day-to-day decisions for me that they would if I were only to be a client of theirs.
Perhaps this since of self determination does in fact give me a greater sense of control over my own life, and I do maintain a strong sense of positivity overall.
And we all have a strong sense of humour, finding things to laugh at more than things to be sad about.
As I said, the nature of my illness is fortunately not as aggressive as it might be.
And I have never given up hope that one day if not a cure can be found then at least a means of ensuring that MS does not become aggressive might be identified.
And in the meantime, thanks to the system that we have in the United Kingdom, of a health service that is free at the point of use.
At least I can feel that I am able to live with some dignity within the boundaries of what I can still achieve.
