Living with MS and Finding Strength in the Unknown – Shania’s Story.
I was just 16 when I first started experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, although I didn’t know it at the time. It took another 11 years before I was finally diagnosed. For a long time, I lived with things I couldn’t explain – urinary issues, persistent pain in my back, arms, and hands, and extreme fatigue. I just thought […]
Massage Therapy & Multiple Sclerosis
Written by Sophie Wilson BHs, (Neuromuscular Massage Therapist that just happens to have RRMS) So, you’ve just been diagnosed with MS? Welcome to the club! You’re officially elite! (Well that’s what I like to think!) Getting a diagnosis like this is something that a lot of people have an opinion about, even those who you […]
Staying well with MS this winter
Written by Rachael Hofmann, Clinical Lead Colder days, longer nights, and the quieter rhythm of winter are settling across Aotearoa. For many people, winter can feel like a time to rest and recharge. For people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), it can also bring a different set of considerations, including increased exposure to seasonal illness, lower energy […]
Managing MS and Other Health Conditions Together
Written by Rachael Hofmann, Clinical Lead Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can sometimes feel like enough on its own. Add in things like high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, diabetes, or high cholesterol, and it can become overwhelming. These additional health conditions, called comorbidities, are common in people living with MS, and they matter. The good […]
Your Healthcare Team: An Introduction to Massage Therapists
Massage therapy is often seen as a supportive and restorative part of wellbeing, and many people with MS find it helpful for managing symptoms such as muscle tightness, pain, and stress. To help our community better understand how massage therapy fits within a holistic approach to MS care, we spoke with Sophie Wilson, a massage […]
Why Your Voice Matters in MS Advocacy
More than 5,000 people in New Zealand are living with multiple sclerosis (MS). In a country of five million, that can feel like a small number, easy to overlook, easy to deprioritise. But those 5,000 people don’t stand alone. Behind each diagnosis are families, whānau, friends, employers, and communities. When those voices speak together on a common […]
Finding the Positives: Sam’s MS Story
Diagnosed at 27 with a newborn baby, Sam shares how she turned a life-changing diagnosis into a reason to focus on what matters most. The First Signs I was 27 years old and seven months pregnant with our second child, when I first noticed something wasn’t right. I woke up one day and had lost […]
Your Health Team: An Introduction to Neurology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Bladder and bowel symptoms are some of the most common, and often least talked about, symptoms of multiple sclerosis. To help our community better understand why these symptoms occur, how common they are, and what support is available, we spoke with KJ Lazarus a neurology Clinical Nurse Specialist with a special interest in continence […]
Bladder and Bowel Changes in MS: Practical Tips and Support
Bladder and bowel changes are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), but they can be some of the more difficult symptoms to talk about. If you’re experiencing changes, you’re not alone, and help is available. Common bladder changes in MS Bladder symptoms can vary from person to person and may change over time. Common bladder issues include: Needing to urinate more often or urgently Difficulty […]
Living with MS on the West Coast: Vanessa’s Story
I was 22 years old when my body first sent me a signal that something wasn’t right. I was experiencing numbness and tingling, but it was easy to dismiss, easy to explain away. There was no dramatic moment, no obvious cause for alarm. For 13 years, life continued. Then, on the 11th of October, just […]