Sheffield nurse, 22, reveals impact of multiple sclerosis diagnosis

A 22-year-old trainee nurse from Sheffield is speaking about living with multiple sclerosis after new figures revealed one in five with the condition are aged under 30.
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Sarah-Jayne Roberts from Woodsetts was diagnosed with the relapsing form of MS two years ago, and her most severe relapse left her unable to walk.

Sarah-Jayne who is currently working on a Covid ward said: “The hardest thing for me has been the mental health side of things. I had never been an anxious person before my MS, but I became quite depressed – I didn’t want to do anything. And thinking about the future became a real problem. I was like if this is what my life is going to be like – constantly worrying what tomorrow will bring – what’s the point? I didn’t want to be here anymore, I didn’t want to carry on.”

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Sarah-Jayne is shedding light on the need for new treatments as part of a £100 million charity appeal – as evidence reveals one in five people diagnosed with MS in the UK today is under the age of 30.

Sarah-Jayne Roberts from Woodsetts was diagnosed with the relapsing form of MS two years agoSarah-Jayne Roberts from Woodsetts was diagnosed with the relapsing form of MS two years ago
Sarah-Jayne Roberts from Woodsetts was diagnosed with the relapsing form of MS two years ago

Sarah-Jayne’s symptoms including sensory problems, pain and extreme fatigue.

Often thought of as an ‘old person’s’ condition, MS Society research shows one in five people diagnosed with MS in the UK is now under the age of 30.

According to the MS Society, MS is the most common progressive neurological condition in young people today.

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Sarah-Jayne added: “Looking back now I have recovered to a certain extent and I’m glad I kept going. Health permitting, in two years’ time I’ll be a registered nurse associate, and I’d love to have children one day. Sometimes I still look at my future and worry what will happen, but with all the advances being made in research I’m more confident it might be OK and I could have a normal, active life where everything is possible for me.”

Sarah-Jayne is one of 30 under 30s appearing in a new story and photo series from the MS Society and award winning photographer Spencer Murphy, as part of the charity’s Stop MS Appeal.

Text FUTURE8 to 70800 to donate £5 and support the Stop MS Appeal or visit www.mssociety.org.uk/STOP-MS

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