Saturday 2 October 2021

Ramblings on Living with Multiple Sclerosis

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL (DESPITE HAVING MS)


No.2


I don’t have to feel guilty about not attempting a ridiculous physical challenge unbefitting my age.


Gordon Ramsey completed an Ironman race in his late forties. In my eyes, that’s another reason to dislike him. Certain middle-aged men love to show off their ability to hold back time. Marathons, three-peak challenges, extreme triathlons… yes, we get it, you’re still fitter than many folk in their twenties and you’re a real man.

That’s not me. Well I am a man, only I’m a man who has had multiple sclerosis for twenty years. If I was free of this chronic condition would I too be attempting one of these physical trials? Of course. I’d be chomping at the bit. Try and stop me. It’s just this blasted MS, you know.

All right, I admit it; much as I miss being able to play five-a-side football and tennis, pushing my body to the limit is not my idea of fun. I get to do that two or three times a week at the moment anyway, as a result of my personal situation. A short dog walk, even with the aid of a walking stick, or twenty minutes of gardening are all it takes for me to hit the wall. No need for a marathon for this particular middle-aged man.

So I don’t have to give any thought to whether or not I should do one of these challenges. No need to feel inferior or guilty. MS has removed that need to prove my worth.

For the same reason, I won’t be attempting any charitable exploit in the near future that involves any kind of physical test. That photo of me at the top of Kilimanjaro will not be getting posted on my Facebook site any time soon.

Oh for flips sake! Who’s this guy in the news? Captain Tom? He’s 100 and he’s forcing his way round and round his garden to raise money for the NHS. Is it churlish of me to be annoyed by his exploits? I sometimes feel like I’m 100 and I thought that gave me a free pass from this kind of thing. I guess not. Bugger.

(RIP Sir Tom)

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