17 December 2015

My life was changed on 11 March 2015 when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

I was looking forward to being 40 this year, I was in a good place. I had lost 7.5 stone with Weight Watchers (over 2.5yrs).  I had a good career as a Paediatric ITU Nurse.  I was very active; I used all my annual leave to ski as I am also a BASI Ski Instructor.  I walked miles with Max my dog, attended the gym on all my days off and did adult gymnastics classes.

To look at me - if you didn't know me - you probably wouldn't see it.  I can still walk, just not the miles I used to and, if I push it, I trip up and start walking like I'm drunk!  I get fatigued after what seems like minimal activities.  When I get home from work I need to go to bed sometimes as early as 18.00.  Lots of my symptoms are invisible so I regularly get told I look good.

It has been a rollercoaster so far.

When I was diagnosed I asked for Physio.  I was introduced to Tania Burge who had set up an MS Balance Group with the support of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and BS7 Gym.  Nathan Walsh is our trainer and the classes are empowering because we are pushed to get the best our bodies can give and we have great fun.  We are all different but have a common goal; to be able to live our lives to the full. 

In July I had treatment with a drug called Lemtrada.  The hope is that Lemtrada will prevent relapses and further damage to my brain and spinal cord.  However, it cannot reverse the damage I already have.  There is still a lot not known about MS and currently NO CURE so this felt like the right challenge for me to feel I am contributing.

Last ski season I developed some unexplained neurology which needed investigating.  As a result, I had to end my ski season in January, cancelling the 4 further weeks I had planned over the winter.  I intended to return to the mountains in October but unfortunately was not well enough.  The Monster Ski therefore means a lot to me.  I put my skis on for the first time in months and skied 3 hours at the Tamworth Snowdome on 7 December.

Monster Ski is a ski and snowboarding challenge organised exclusively for the MS Trust.  It will take place from 14-18 March 2016 with 2 days skiing in Chamonix, France and 1 day in Courmayeur, Italy.  My challenge will be to ski 90,000 vertical feet over 3 days (the height of Mount Everest every day)!

I have to raise £850 by 8 January 2016 to confirm my place so please can I ask anyone looking at this page to share it with their friends, family and contacts.

Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor me and donations will be quickly processed and passed to the MS Trust.  Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this.  I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KimberleyHamilton1

Kimberley xx