2014 was a year like no other: it should have been a very difficult year due to my diagnosis with MS at the end of 2013 but it has turned out to be the best year of our lives so far! I no longer have something niggling at the back of my mind, my anxiety is better controlled – I have experienced such freedom!

The year started with my first visit to the neurologist where a plan was formed. Super Sarah and I had a brilliant talk with Dr Murray and I was prescribed a muscle relaxant to stop me walking like I was on stilts and an antidepressant was recommended to help with the anxiety. After 6 weeks, the medication levelled out and my life began again!

I began physio treatment and my amazing physio has me back on my feet as much as possible. As you will remember from my Physio blog, it was a lot of work but Super Sarah and I did what she said and it paid off! I did find the walking stick brilliant but when I inevitably tripped, I landed in a heap so I do prefer my delta-walker these days as there is something to grab onto and steady myself with!

After all of this hard work, we had an incredible summer outside in the air and sunshine enjoying life – it was beautiful! Summer saw the first of my 3 5k races this year (though my physio is brilliant, she is not a miracle worker – I did the races in my mobility scooter!). Super Sarah and I took part in the Subway Healthy Hearts 5k as our dads have both had heart attacks. It was such a special day with friends and it really showed the progress that I had made with my anxiety.

The second race was blooming cold but it was important that I took part in this one. When I received my diagnosis in 2013, Super Sarah and friends were taking part in the Mo Run around Arthur’s Seat. To mark the one year anniversary of my diagnosis, I just had to take part in the race. I received permission from the organisers to take part in my scooter and training began! Now the battery in my scooter is not as strong as she used to be so on the day, I made it part of the way up Arthur’s Seat then Super Sarah had to push me the rest of the way! She really deserves my medal too but it is my precious!

Our final 5k of the year was the Santa Dash in Livingston. This was a good bit of fun and my scooter and I were covered in decorations! When we finished this race, they had run out of medals, and I have received word that they are now in the post. I was lucky enough to be given a selection box which fell out of my basket and I ran over with my scooter – that was the messiest Flake I have ever eaten!

In 2014, with my new found freedom and my mobility scooter, and as Super Sarah and I faced our impending 30th birthdays, we embarked on our dream holiday. We went to New York! We did everything and more, it was amazing and we had a wonderful time! I had Super Sarah walking for miles each day, there was so much to do! However, New York is so huge that we will need to return to see some more (or at least that is our excuse and we are sticking to it!).

But the big news this year – Super Sarah and I have set a date for our wedding! We have waited patiently for 11 years for Scotland to change the laws so that we will be married and it is finally happening! Neither of us is the bridezilla sort thank goodness however this means that we must find motivation to plan the wedding. So far we have the ceremony booked, the cake and the rings – the important things as far as I am concerned! Wish us luck for the rest of our planning in 2015!

In fact, it would seem that 2014 was so good, she has tried to stop me enjoying 2015 by ensuring that I spend the first few weeks recovering from a sprained ankle. I have spotted her trick though and she cannot stop me enjoying this year – both my brother and I marry our best friends this year!

What has 2014 taught me? Live life to the fullest. MS is a game-changer but you can still enjoy life achieve your dreams.