I am 67 years old and I have had MS for over 30 years. I live with my husband who is nearly 80. Thankfully he is fit and well and between us we manage most things. He does the cooking and housework but I help with the dusting. I have been in a wheelchair for many years but can stand on a turning aid, with my husband’s help, to go to the toilet or get into bed or the car. However, my standing had been getting much worse and moving me from one place to another was getting very difficult for my husband.
A few months ago my family persuaded me to visit the physiotherapist to see if anything could be done about my standing. Wendy, the physio, gave me a really thorough assessment and then stood me in a standing frame. I felt so upright, it was lovely; in fact I cried the first time because it felt so nice to be up straight like I used to be. At first I couldn’t let go with my arms, but after a few weeks my back got stronger and I was able to let go of the handrails. Lately, I have been trying to hold myself up without the strap. It’s hard work but I can feel my back and tummy muscles working again. Now I can turn myself over in bed again which is a great help to my husband and it’s getting much easier to stand up at home. My aim is to be able to stand, just for a few minutes, when my son gets married in the autumn.