MS Society

Fern's page

Fern Watts

Fern Watts

My Story

Hi! I'm Fern and I've decided to make the massive decision to participate in the 2024 London Marathon. I've always found the event inspiring and loved the atmosphere and I feel honoured to be running and fundraising for the amazing MS society. 

I decided to apply to run for MS society after having my fairly new diagnosis in 2023. Back in February of 2023, I lost nearly all eyesight in my right eye. I was diagnosed with optic neuritis and was told that this was quite a common symptom of MS and I would need to go for an MRI scan. My MRI scan showed a few spots of inflammation- consistent with an MS diagnosis. I was then referred to neurology (which was a minimum of 6 months wait). My optic neuritis worsened and I became pretty poorly with vertigo as well as stress due to the unknown/unconfirmed. I typically decided to use Google as my doctor and convinced myself of the worst possible scenarios. It wasn't until I stumbled across the MS society webpage that I began to properly read about MS and what it is. 


For anyone that doesn't know; Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves. It is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves.

Having read the information and the guidance of treatment, I felt I could go into my neurology appointment with confidence that this is not the end of the world and there's so many treatments that can help with potential symptoms. I felt like a lot of my symptoms through the years could be related to MS and I felt a sense of relief that I potentially could start treatment and start to feel better. 


In September of 2023, I then experienced my "second flare." Urinary incontinence at the age of 24years old left me feeling embarrassed and helpless. I needed to wear incontinence pads and pants and felt a complete lack of control. I was then sent to A+E with retention and a catheter was fitted. This admission pushed my neurology appointment forward and meant that I finally had my diagnosis of MS. I now have a monthly injection to help slow progression and reduce my chance of having a flare.


I think my main reason for wanting to complete the London marathon is to prove to myself that I can push myself and I can do it. MS doesn't stop me. 
Currently there is no cure for multiple sclerosis but MS society supports incredible research in order to understand more about MS to help improve medications and outcomes. There are so many new treatments for MS that have huge impacts on patients and this can only be made better through funding and more research. I would hugely appreciate any donation towards this incredible charity that means so much to me. 

I've added a quote from their website which I think sums them up perfectly; 

We understand what life’s like with MS. And we know together we are stronger. We’re researching, writing, campaigning and fighting. Running, walking, caring and talking.

Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Thankyou for taking the time to read my story and my reasoning behind running the marathon. It's going to be a huge challenge but I'm extremely excited. I will be truly grateful for any donation as it's going towards such a brilliant charity.

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/

MS Society

Raising for:

MS Society
138%

Funded

  • Target
    £2,300
  • Raised so far
    £3,172
  • Number of donors
    82

My Story

Hi! I'm Fern and I've decided to make the massive decision to participate in the 2024 London Marathon. I've always found the event inspiring and loved the atmosphere and I feel honoured to be running and fundraising for the amazing MS society. 

I decided to apply to run for MS society after having my fairly new diagnosis in 2023. Back in February of 2023, I lost nearly all eyesight in my right eye. I was diagnosed with optic neuritis and was told that this was quite a common symptom of MS and I would need to go for an MRI scan. My MRI scan showed a few spots of inflammation- consistent with an MS diagnosis. I was then referred to neurology (which was a minimum of 6 months wait). My optic neuritis worsened and I became pretty poorly with vertigo as well as stress due to the unknown/unconfirmed. I typically decided to use Google as my doctor and convinced myself of the worst possible scenarios. It wasn't until I stumbled across the MS society webpage that I began to properly read about MS and what it is. 


For anyone that doesn't know; Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nerves. It is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves.

Having read the information and the guidance of treatment, I felt I could go into my neurology appointment with confidence that this is not the end of the world and there's so many treatments that can help with potential symptoms. I felt like a lot of my symptoms through the years could be related to MS and I felt a sense of relief that I potentially could start treatment and start to feel better. 


In September of 2023, I then experienced my "second flare." Urinary incontinence at the age of 24years old left me feeling embarrassed and helpless. I needed to wear incontinence pads and pants and felt a complete lack of control. I was then sent to A+E with retention and a catheter was fitted. This admission pushed my neurology appointment forward and meant that I finally had my diagnosis of MS. I now have a monthly injection to help slow progression and reduce my chance of having a flare.


I think my main reason for wanting to complete the London marathon is to prove to myself that I can push myself and I can do it. MS doesn't stop me. 
Currently there is no cure for multiple sclerosis but MS society supports incredible research in order to understand more about MS to help improve medications and outcomes. There are so many new treatments for MS that have huge impacts on patients and this can only be made better through funding and more research. I would hugely appreciate any donation towards this incredible charity that means so much to me. 

I've added a quote from their website which I think sums them up perfectly; 

We understand what life’s like with MS. And we know together we are stronger. We’re researching, writing, campaigning and fighting. Running, walking, caring and talking.

Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Thankyou for taking the time to read my story and my reasoning behind running the marathon. It's going to be a huge challenge but I'm extremely excited. I will be truly grateful for any donation as it's going towards such a brilliant charity.

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/