#MS Doing It My Way: April 2013

Sometimes you can feel a connection with someone, a link, a complete understanding, yet you may have never met them or even know what they look like. This is how I feel about many of my MS twitter friends, Blogging friends and even some people I’ve met through Facebook. It does sound a little like that programme ‘Catfish’ but I can assure you there are no romantic aspects to MS and I’m sure my cyber MS friends are not ‘faking it’ or lying about who they really are.

I really want to express my appreciation for their friendship, if you can really call it that. I don’t know any of these amazing people really, yet they have given me such vital support at the most difficult times. A kind of support even some of my closest friends and family couldn’t give me simply because they don’t have MS.

I’ll just give one example, besides the every day general support. One night around 3 weeks ago I had had a bad session at the gym. I had just started taking Rebif and was getting my head around the idea of the injections and got myself in a bit of a state. I fell asleep crying and at around 2am I STILL couldn’t sleep…so I decided to tweet about it (as you do). Due to the time difference between here and the US, I received SO many messages of support asking why I couldn’t sleep, what was I worried about, and generally sending really kind messages of concern and best of all; calming me down!

I felt SO much better after letting out my worries and concerns and having a few unanswered questions resolved. It just showed me how many kind-hearted people there are in the world.

It doesn’t hurt to just ‘Find the time’ and do something good. Whether that be calling a relative you’ve not spoken to in a while, saying thank you, doing a good deed, helping someone.

Just go and do it.

There is always time it’s just up to you to make it.

Because there will always be someone like me, somewhere in the world, that just needed those few words at that time, to make all the difference and keep them going.

So THANKYOU Twitter, Facebook, Google and every other form of social media, for allowing me to connect with people all around the world.

“When we are decent to others and share ourselves through kindness and compassion, the door to the heart is open.” – Muhammad Ali

P x

CAKE BREAK 2013 @ THE HYATT REGENCY

The event took place yesterday and for those of you who followed me on twitter though out the day will have seen how much of an incredible success it was! It was a hugely enjoyable day and I couldn't have wished to spend my birthday weekend doing anything different.

First of all Rhiannon and I spent ALL day Saturday baking and baking and baking...and....baking!
We also had a little (A LOT) of help from mummy's friends who donated some whole cakes...the professional looking ones below of course!

ENDLESS BOXES AND BAGS OF CAKE!!

Once we made our way to the hotel the morning of the event we were absolutely buzzing with excitement. I couldn't believe the day was finally here and all the work we'd put in over the past 3 months had finally come together.

Me and Rhi Rhi standing in the cold at 8.50am with ALL the cakes, cake stands, decorations and most importantly....our dresses!

We were treated by the Hyatt Hotel to a fabulous breakfast while we set the room up... despite there being a room full of cake I can honestly say this is ALL we ate alllllll day!!

We got hard to work for three hours before all our guests would arrive at 1pm. The Just Giving page was still going mad on the morning of the event and before we even started we were already at £700!!

12.50pm and were 10 mins aways from starting!

And you won't believe who I saw in the hotel.....RAYMOND BLANC!!!!! My friends dad pointed him out to me so we approached him to ask if he would like to come in and take a look around our event. HE SAID YES! not only did he come in to say hello....I had my picture with him...he signed our board AND he offered a donation for our raffle of lunch for two at his restaurant!

UNBELIEVABLE.

We had an incredible turn out and it was so humbling to see friends, family, friends of friends, new friends, and old school teachers, (from previous schools, not old in age.) Don't worry Mr Bingham I don't think you're old...yet.

The room stayed busy ALL day so I was up and mingling for around 3 hours straight which did wonders for my MS (not). No really it wasn't that bad, I managed to keep going and besides feeling wiped out at the end I don't think any symptoms flared up during the day.

It's really important if you do have MS and you are going to host an event, to make sure you drink plenty though out the day (water not alcohol!) AND to not get stressed out. Just relax and enjoy the day. You are the source of information for everyone and everyone has come to support you and what you're doing so you've got to be on the ball to give information, tell your story and most importantly have a massive smile on your face. That wont happen if you're stressing yourself out and it most certainly wont help your MS.

Here are a few pictures from the event: (there are more to come from the photographer but these are off my phone)