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The young person's guide to MS The people who helped with this book

Firstly, we would like to thank all the young people who completed our questionnaire or participated in the 'MS in the family' workshops, without your help this book would not have been possible.

We would also like to thank the following young people, who reviewed the book and provided invaluable comments:
Anna J, Ashleigh R, Ben G, Ben W, Eleanor R, Emma H, Harriet B, Jodie W, Laura C, Oliver W, Sam G, Sam N and Sarah B.

Laura Caldwell

My name is Laura and I am 12. I live in Scotland in a lovely little village called Comrie. My dad was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS when I was 6. I knew there was something wrong but was too confused to ask, and I only found out about the diagnosis when I was 9. I have two younger sisters Eve (11) and Juliet (9). My dad has been following a special diet for about 3 years; it helps keep him fit and healthy and helps me think positively about the future with my dad.

Ben Wallen

My name is Ben and I am 13. I live in Ilford in Essex and I go to Ilford County High School, I enjoy it there. I was 7 when my mum was diagnosed with MS. I have a younger brother Oliver. My family love to go to antiques and boot sales together.

Oliver Wallen

My name is Oliver and I am 10. Ben is my older brother. I was 4 when our mum was diagnosed with MS. Even though mum has MS my family still find lots of time to go to places together, it's amazing how much time we spend together.

Samantha Grainger

Hi my name is Samantha and I am 12. I live in Liverpool with my mum, dad and brother Ben. We found out that my dad had MS when I was 9. We are a very musical family, I am a singer in a band, Ben and my dad play the guitar and my mum sings too.

Ben Grainger

Hi, my name is Ben and I'm 14. My dad was diagnosed with MS about 3 years ago, so I was about 11. Samantha is my sister. One thing I would say about my family is that my mum is probably the glue that keeps us together because she does so much for us and looks after my dad when I can't.

Alison Whittam

Alison is an information officer with the MS Trust.

The Previté family

At the start of this project we were very lucky to receive encouragement and support from the Previté family. Andrew Previté was diagnosed with MS ten years before he got married and so for his wife, Antonia, and their three sons MS has always been part of the family. Adjusting to the change from walking to wheelchair has been difficult both for Andrew, his wife and his children.

Teddy who is 11, recently had to speak about someone who had influenced his outlook on life as part of a school project. He chose to speak not about someone in public life but about his father, and how he had managed to continue to participate actively in life despite advancing disability.

The Previté family hopes that this book provides some answers to questions young people may have about MS, and that it will ensure that other young people realise that they are not alone when facing the challenges posed by MS in the family.

The MS Trust would also like to thank Dr Alasdair Coles, Consultant Neurologist, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, for his advice.