More MS life hacks

By author and guest blogger Andy Reynard 

In my first blog post, I tackled some of the MS life hacks that have become second nature for me at home. Now let’s step outside (sometimes done steadily, other times not so much). 

Gardening 

I’m not much of a gardener and MS has made sure that a love of gardening is never going to creep up on me. But I try not to leave it all to my wife, so I try to do the lawn. 

My approach to mowing is similar to the series ‘Lost’, if you remember that interminable TV show. It goes on for ages and much of the time nothing seems to be happening. 

Because it isn’t. I’m resting back on the patio furniture. Then I’m back to it, to cut another section of lawn. 

One thing that has been a game changer, however, has been the purchase of a self-propelling, mulching mower. It takes me for a walk like a small pack of huskies, saving a lot of energy. And there’s no more emptying the grass box for me. This was one of the most tiring parts of the whole operation. My new mower just cuts the grass up really fine and spits it out again. 

Shame it took me a month after delivery before I had enough energy to carry the box from the hall to the garden. Then another week till I could face unpacking it and setting it up. But we’re now in business and I’m wishing I’d bought one of these machines years ago. 

Walking the dog 

Selfishly, the dog doesn’t seem to care that I have a disability. So choosing walks where there’s somewhere to sit after I’ve covered an appropriate distance is a must. 

I’ve a couple of favourite locations where a bench heaves into view just as I need it. One of these benches is at a very popular viewing point. There’s often a couple or family already in position, soaking up the panorama. When a man with a stick turns up who’s clearly on the point of collapse, their private moment is ruined. 

But at least they don’t have MS, right? This is non-negotiable, I’m afraid. Budge up. 

Supermarket 

If you have an aversion to online food shopping like I do, a visit to the supermarket is in order. It’s nice of them to provide a wheeled Zimmer frame I can use to get around (some people just call this a shopping trolley). 

As the shop progresses, I can often be seen whizzing along on the trolley, holding myself up with my arms and chest. All so I can avoid using my legs for a little bit. Some people might consider this a little undignified for a man in his fifties. I call it another good little hack, for those who still have some strength in their arms. 

Even so, every week I’m forced to perform my usual magic trick. I enter Asda able-bodied. By the time I leave, I’m a disabled man. 

I’m on my last legs as I unload the shopping into the car. Once done, I just have one more task – to return the trolley to the trolley shelter. But it’s too far. I can’t walk another step. 

It’s at this point that I like to play a game I call shopping trolley curling. I take aim and launch it towards the other trolleys. To score top points, you have to get the trolley within the walls of the shelter, but without touching them. 

It’s great fun, but if you indulge in this pastime, you have to make sure the coast is clear. You don’t want to take out a passer-by and cause a disability. That would be a terrible irony.  

So, those are some of my personal MS life hacks. I’m sure you have plenty of your own, particular to your own requirements. 

It’s what we do. 

About Andy 

Andy Reynard is an author and blogger who writes candidly about his relapsing remitting MS. For more on his book, visit Andy's Balls to MS blog (external link).