Ride London for MS

Jim was diagnosed with MS 8 years ago. He was a fit man, with an active job. He noticed a loss of sensation, severe pins and needles, lost the sight in one eye, and a crushing feeling as if someone was squeezing him around his chest. Jim was sent to see a neurologist who performed an MRI and a spinal tap. The results showed several lesions on his brain and spinal cord. This has effected his memory and cognitive functions, so he has to write things down (our house is covered in lists) and give himself voice memos. He has bouts of falling over and dropping things, we used to have a beautiful crockery set, we now eat off paper plates (joking, you need to have a sense of humour living with Jim!) He suffers daily from headaches and not being able to feel his limbs, but he never whinges, he gets on with it, which is inspiration in itself.

Jim has been on several treatments from tablets to daily injections, which had horrible side effects. He now has biannual infusions, which take 6-8 hours a time. The legions are still growing and multiplying, but he refuses to give up. 

So the main reason Jim is attempting to complete ride London which is 100 miles long, is to raise money for MS UK, who provide help, counselling and advice for sufferers and their families. I can say it’s hard to watch someone you love, suffer from this cruel, crippling disease. Watching him go  to work on a very tough, active job, trying to keep his mind, brain and body healthy and active by training with some nutters 3 times a week, cycling as often as he can and now the good weather is on its way, he can cycle outside in the fresh air. He also loves to windsurf as he says all symptoms seem to disappear when he’s in the water.

Training is in full swing, with a few of his fellow cycling chaps, who encourage and push him on.