Welcome to MS is Chronic. In this latest episode you'll get to hear from the wonderful Karen Ablett. Karen's bio describes her as ahappy, chatty, POSITIVE person who loves life and believes ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE if you put your mind to it! :) #mswarrior I'm going to add 'authentic'. Spending time with Karen was a real joy. To hear how she faces into each day and looks for the best in what she deals with. As usual our chat covers Multiple Sclerosis and the journey Karen has been on. We shared stories of the MS influencers that have crossed out path and other sources of information we find when wanting to know more about this crappy condition we have in common. I constantly learn new things about myself when speaking with people like Karen and I'm pretty sure you'll find yourself pondering for a moment or two as you listen to this episode.   If you would like to be a future guest please get in touch. Your story deserves to be heard. Thanks for listening Barney

Welcome to MS is Chronic. This episodes guest is the wonderful Matt Lloyd. The best way to describe Matt is that he has too many strings for one bow. Born with spina bifida, paralympian, Olympic torch bearer, entrepreneur, music journalist, PHD in Systems Science, Global MBA Online Tutor University of Hull, diagnosed with MS in 2017. That's just for starters. Matt is really generous with his time and honesty. He shares his story and his strategy's for life. Being born with Spina Bifida and then getting an MS diagnosis in his 40's, Matt's life experience up to that point means he approached things with a different perspective. The chat veers off when we start to talk about music and gigs, a passion for both of us, and once a part of Matt's career as a music journalist. Which is what this podcast is really about.  We connected because of MS, but we found we've much more interesting things in common.  Happy listening, Enjoy. Barney   Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect. The neural tube is the structure that eventually develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord. The neural tube starts to form in early pregnancy and closes about 4 weeks after conception. In spina bifida, part of the neural tube does not develop or close properly, leading to defects in the spinal cord and bones of the spine (vertebrae). It's not known what causes spina bifida (NHS website)   Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects nerves in your central nervous system. That's your brain and spinal cord. In MS, the coating (myelin) that protects your nerves there is damaged. This causes a range of symptoms like blurred vision and problems with how we move, think and feel (MS Society UK)   https://online.hull.ac.uk/global-mba/academic-team/matt-lloyd https://systemssoundbites.com/about  https://www.mssociety.org.uk/about-ms/what-is-ms https://shift.ms/about-us

Hello and welcome to MS is Chronic. In this latest episode I was joined by the fabulous Claire Cameron who shares her personal and professional story. This is a great listen and like me I'm sure you'll learn a few things about living with a family member who has multiple sclerosis as Claire did. And also what it is like being part of a team running a successful Community Centre a fairly remote part of West Scotland. Claire is the Long Term Conditions Outreach and Community Awareness at The Snowdrop Centre in Mid Argyll. The Snowdrop / Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Mid Argyll is situated in Lochgilphead on the West Coast of Scotland, with outreach support extending over the larger areas of Mid Argyll, Kintyre, Islay and Jura https://www.msargyll.com/ Their mission is to support people affected by neurological and other long term conditions, as well as anyone feeling socially isolated. providing access to:A wide range of complementary therapies, physiotherapy and talking therapies,Condition self management workshops,supportive listening and peer support,Accessible exercise classes,Community food projects,Music and craft activities,Centre outingsSupport with welfare forms, signposting to relevant support organisationsCampaigning, awareness raising, speaking out and being the voice for those not being heard.

Welcome to MS is Chronic. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects nerves in your central nervous system. That's your brain and spinal cord. In MS, the coating (myelin) that protects your nerves there is damaged. This causes a range of symptoms like blurred vision and problems with how we move, think and feel. (MS Society) In this episode you will hear from Brian Loefell who lives in the USA. . We cover loads in this episode including the US and UK health systems, a bit of politics and Brian's journey from being diagnosed in 2017 through to his various MS Activism since then. Thanks for listening Barney.

Hi there, I'm Barney Black and I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 2017. Since then I have shared some of my story on Youtube UC-3c5PTy1a5QYwiLEBvNdhQ  Now it's time for other voices to be heard which is the motivation behind this podcast. A little bit of science: The estimates suggest that over 130,000 people in the UK live with MS and that number is rising. There is no cure but there are over a dozen treatments available on the NHS for replapsing remitting MS. Nothing yet for Progressive MS. There are many support groups across the UK and at local levels which I have found to be useful. The people I have found of most value are those with the condition. Because they just get it. They know and understand when you describe the MS Hug is more like being crushed or similar to a heart attack. That fatigue isn't just being tired, it's like running a battery on 15% expecting 100% performance. And that's just before getting out of bed. They also understand it's such a variable disease and that our common ground is that we have MS. But that we all have our own flavour of MS. In these 6 episodes you will hear optimism, fear, hope, stoicism and ambitions for the future. What I know you will hear is the authenticity in each person's story. Thanks for listening, Barney

This seems like a fortuitous and appropriate way to end Season 1. I met Kris Mackie a couple of months ago at the Perth and Kinross Coffee evening  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076069987270  We got chatting and he kindly agreed to be a guest on the podcast. Kris has only been on his own MS journey since last year. Meaning everything he is going through is very current. From the symptoms he began to experience, how it has impacted his and his family lifestyle and how he has used it to be an MS advocate and support his local community. https://msgroups.enthuse.com/pf/3munros3months?fbclid=IwY2xjawEaC15leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQnQv11TLknyCD2DbCxpY2NAVwlxDz8z7eTjOUC5CaoXavxQ1vmwqnAN2Q_aem__owBPP_nx9xjGPoNlMiazA&sfnsn=scwspwa

I was lucky to have a cup of tea with Mavis while I was holidaying on the Isle of Islay, off the West Coast of Scotland.  Mavis shares what it is like to be in a lovely but remote part of the world when it comes to needing specialist support like a neurologist or MS Nurse. Also a shout out to the  The Snowdrop / Multiple Sclerosis Centre, in Lochgilphead on the West Coast of Scotland, with outreach support extending over the larger areas of Mid Argyll, Kintyre, Islay and Jura.   Whose mission is to support people affected by neurological and other long term conditions, as well as anyone feeling socially isolated. https://www.msargyll.com/

https://youtu.be/gknn1QmdHCY?si=E6i2Fmh1eRtvWpzH Dean Riley is an inspiration. In this episode you'll hear how he takes life head on. With his humour and ability to try something new and always wanting to stretch himself. Refusing to have limits put upon him because he has Multiple Sclerosis.  We laugh and we even shed a tear in this episode. Follow the the link in these notes to Dean's "Letter to MS"youtube page. But, first, listen to this episode and be inspired.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/events/multiple-exposures Graeme is an award winning architect and Professor at Dundee school of art. He has exhibited at Dundee V & A and is about to publish his first book of photography. his school pal Alan Cumming has done the foreward. Graeme was diagnosed with MS 30 odd years ago.  In this episode he shares his journey from 1990's to the present day.

This is the first international episode. With Damian Washington originally from New York and now living in Europe. he is prolific in the MS community as well as being an accomplished actor. Most importantly he is just a lovely person to know. Enjoy. B