From strangers to soulmates: finding love with MS

Leoni and her partner found true love a number of years ago and believe that everyone deserves a loving relationship, with or without MS.

All the way back in January 2019 I met my now girlfriend through social media. We knew of each other through our mutual friends but had never met or spoken before. 

We got chatting and after calling and messaging back and forward for a while, we decided to meet up.

Of course, I was a bit nervous when we first met, but I felt so at home with her. After meeting up a few times I think I just fell head over heels for her and I knew I wanted her to be my girlfriend.

So, I plucked up the courage and asked her out on the 27th of January 2019. Wouldn’t you know it … she said yes! 

I made it really clear before we first met that I lived with MS. The thought of having the conversation was much more difficult than actually talking about it. Although it didn’t bother her at all. From day one, she’s been so understanding.

Living with MS can be tough. I think everyone in the MS community knows that. 
 

But, she’s always been there. She stayed by my side during really difficult times and attended all my appointments with me. She really is my world. 

After only being together 11 months, we moved into our first home together. She became my full-time carer shortly after that, when I became a full-time wheelchair user that summer.

She now does all my daily care, keeps our home in order and looks after our two beautiful black Labradors. She is the absolute rock of my life! 
 

She treats me like a woman and that’s one of the biggest reasons why I love her! 

The stigma of having a disability and being in a relationship can be difficult sometimes. Of course, you get the odd stare here and there.

I think there’s a real lack of awareness around disabilities in our society. More education about accessibility and inclusivity would certainly help us to understand each other.

We have never let the stigma stop us. At the end of the day, we are happy and have a difficult but beautiful life together.