The young person's guide to MS It changes our social life
MS is unpredictable, which often means that your mum or dad won't know how they're going to feel from one week to another or even one day to the next. This can have an impact on your social life. If your parent is feeling really tired you might have to stay in and do some extra jobs, when really you want to be out with your friends. Occasionally plans for a day out with the family might have to be changed or even cancelled at short notice because your parent is having a 'bad day'. This can be really frustrating if it is something you've been looking forward to for ages.
Sometimes MS means that your mum or dad may not be able to do as many things with you as they used to do. Symptoms like numbness, especially in the hands or feet, might mean that they don't always feel very safe driving, so they might not be able to give you a lift to school or to the cinema like they normally do. If they get tired very quickly, they might not be able to stand for a long time at a football match or walk for hours around the shops.
"I can't have as much freedom. I can't have a friend round. I have to spend time caring for my dad. We can't go out as a family for a meal."
Ann, 14
"My dad has MS so he can't do all the normal dad stuff like play football in the garden."
Oliver, 12
"It affects me because mum can't do things sometimes, but it is more normal for her to be fine."
Rachel, 12
"It restricts certain parts of my life. I always have to think about things we could do together. It frustrates me because I knew my active mum before and now to see her limited frustrates me."
Eleanor, 15