Finding hope and purpose at the Chilterns Neuro Centre
Kenny Martin could be described as someone who embraced life as an adventure, experiencing anything and everything it had to offer him. He was very active, working long hours as a chef and enjoying exercise and a good social life after work.
Living such a full life meant his MS diagnosis at the age of only 38 hit hard and changed his life dramatically.
“I started noticing strange symptoms, such as pins and needles in my feet and hands and ‘brain fog’ and my memory became poorer. I relied on my memory in my job and, unfortunately, since the diagnosis, I’ve had to give up my job as my eyesight has also been impacted.”
“I have difficulty focusing on things and, along with issues with coordination in my hands and legs, this prevents me from writing anything down.”
After he medically retired from work, he moved into a village where he met other people with MS. He coped by building a support network there but, although this provided him with pastoral support, he knew he needed a better, specialist understanding of how to manage his condition.
“Some of my new friends at the village told me about the Chilterns Neuro Centre and how good it was. I went to visit the Centre, met some of the staff and found out what services were provided. I was nervous, at first, because I had only recently been diagnosed and was afraid of finding out things about MS that I didn’t really want to know, but I was made to feel very welcome and it helped me come to terms with my illness.”
“It helped that I knew other people who had MS, but without the Centre I would still be struggling today. The Centre provides so much support and advice, it means I get what I need tailored to my specific symptoms. I have been able to receive treatments in physio, acupuncture and oxygen, and the staff have assisted me with referrals to other external services, such as orthotic and bladder clinics.”
“Physio has helped to strengthen my legs, which I notice on the recumbent exercise bike. I am able to sustain longer periods of riding before fatigue sets in. Acupuncture and oxygen therapy have helped relieve bladder symptoms and I’m now sleeping through the night without needing to get up to go to the toilet.”
“One of the most helpful things for me, is that Centre staff have helped me to find coping strategies in how I deal with my MS. They provide outstanding advice and excellent feedback to help me adjust my life to benefit me better.”
“On top of that, the Centre has also given me things to focus on, including fundraising challenges, which has provided a new purpose to my life.”
“Interacting with people who understand what you’re going through has been incredibly helpful and given me insight into how it affects different people in different ways. Meeting others who have MS and hearing their stories and how they cope has given me more hope for the future.”
Kenny has a different perspective on life now and his hopes for the future are mainly centred around what can be done to improve life for people with MS.
“I plan to continue with fundraising and remain open to new experiences. If I can find a way to do a new challenge, I will. I hope the treatment I’m on continues to work as it seems to be keeping my symptoms plateaued.”
“Lastly, I hope more people make use of the Centre and its valuable resources. I would strongly recommend people get involved. Having MS can be a very lonely place but, by engaging with the Centre, you’ll realise you’re not alone. The Centre has changed my life. Its network of people, carers and support gives me purpose.”
As part of his fundraising plans, Kenny will be taking part in a 300 foot bungee jump on 29 June 2025. Good luck, Kenny, you are a braver man than most. If you would like to sponsor Kenny then you can do so via his JustGiving page.
If you have MS, or Parkinson’s or experienced a stroke, and feel you would benefit from the services offered by the Centre, or you know someone who would, then please get in touch by phoning 01296 696133 or by emailing info@chilternsneurocentre.org