This week: “I’m 36 and live with my husband in County Durham. I was doing research work, but the recent end of a fixed-term contract saw me move to an administrator role. I’m loving this, mainly due to the team, who are fantastic. I am still doing charity administration and have reduced these working hours. Since my last Money Diary, almost two years ago, I’ve been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and have seen huge changes to daily life and the costs that come with disability. After a year of survival (which was not very pleasant), trying not to let the MS ‘win’, I’ve accepted my body has changed, and life needs to change with it. I’ve reduced some of my working hours, also travel less and have an additional afternoon off a week. I’ve also just changed treatment for greater stability, although I am considering another change to a pregnancy-safe option. My mum was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease within a month of my own diagnosis (by the same consultant!). It’s been a rough time as a family and also personally with unpleasant symptoms, waiting on a diagnosis and accepting and adapting to a new reality. I’ve had a lot of anxiety and finally feel I’m getting to grips with the vulnerability I live with and accepting this without it making what already feels hard, harder. We’ve taken some financial hits with my diagnosis. We had to replace my car from manual to automatic (I have left leg fatigue and muscle weakness). Our shower also had to be replaced as I was not safe getting in and out of it. The plumber did a really poor job and we are now having to have this work done again. It’s beyond frustrating to see our savings being used like this. I’m just thankful that we have the savings to do this. Even if it isn’t what we want, it’s what we need.”
