When I went through the shock and fear that comes with the realisation that I may have MS, the one thing that I was truly afraid of was being in a wheelchair. I cried at the thought that I may rely on wheels to help me from A through to B. It was a terrifying prospect. However, the more time that passed, and the more my MS progressed, the friendlier the wheelchair looked. It was on my side, waiting to carry me through my fatigue.

I was with my physio one day, talking about fatigue when she asked me whether I had considered a wheelchair. I had played this moment in my head in the months preceding this and I was expecting a sinking feeling on my stomach but I instantly agreed and the process was started.

A few weeks later, the wheelchair arrived and I was off! Actually, it was not that straightforward. My upper-body strength was utterly pathetic considering my arms held me up most of the time! I could barely move from the spot though Super Sarah assured me that it would get easier – I would build the strength I needed to move the chair.

After a few days of practice, I was starting to get somewhere. The only problem is, I tired quickly. Super Sarah was not off the hook with pushing duty just yet! I nearly burned that bridge on a shopping trip when I criticised her steering of the wheelchair so she walked away and left me. I bellowed apologies and after much begging and apologising, she came to help me out as I had only managed to chase her about 4 metres! I will keep my mouth shut on that front from now on…

The more I started to use the chair, the more I became aware of a uniquely interesting problem. I have some serious weakness in my left arm so as soon as I started to tire, which was pretty quickly, this arm struggled to push the wheel. The problem with this is that I would then start circling as my right arm still felt strong. I certainly wasn’t getting anywhere fast!

This issue meant the wheelchair was only really effective if there was someone there to push me. Having someone push me feels a bit indulgent, like I should have someone else waving a fan in front of me and another person feeding me grapes. As luxurious as this sounds, the point in the wheelchair was to gain some much desired independence.

When I realised that the wheelchair was not going to provide this, I had to go back to the drawing board. This coincided with a sprained ankle, when I was off work for about 2 months as I was not able to walk without pain, and was not assisted by the wheelchair.

However, I am a lucky girl! I have amazing colleagues that raised £1,500.00 last year for the MS Society. My colleagues and the MS Society both agreed that £1,000.00 of the money raised should be donated to me to buy an electric wheelchair. When they told me this, I was astounded. Their generosity has made my life so much easier!

I can now commute to work, on my own, without a care in the world. Before, Super Sarah would have to drive me to the bus stop where I would fight my way onto the bus with my delta-walker praying that a kind soul would let me have their seat. By the time I made it to my chair in the office, after what felt like an epic Hobbit like walk (without even getting 2nd breakfast!) from the bus stop, I was exhausted. Faced with this fatigue, I would then have to do a days work.

Now, I glide from my home to the tram stop without Super Sarah even needing to leave the house! From the tram stop, I whizz to the office and skid to a stop by my desk. I then grab the delta-walker I leave at the office and confidently shuffle to the coffee machine before starting my working day full of energy.

The fear I had of the wheelchair is understandable, but the relief I felt when I was offered one tells me that I needed it. I no longer view such items as a sign of the progression of this frustrating disease, but more of a way to make my life easier. My energy is preserved for more worthwhile tasks and I can comfortably make my way from A to B.