Karen’s Story

When Karen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she felt alone and uncertain about what the future would hold, which is the reality for many people facing an MS diagnosis. But what she remembers most was the isolation and the sense that nobody really understood what she was going through.

Karen is the face of our 2025 Christmas Appeal. Watch her story below.

Society doesn’t understand life with Multiple Sclerosis. A lot of people are unaware of just how significant the impact is, they see you looking happy and well and joking and don’t know the layers underneath that of what it takes just to get through a day. 

Everything changed for Karen when she found Revive MS Support.

Through support from our MS nurses, Karen was introduced to a range of services designed specifically for people living with MS – physiotherapy, counselling, welfare and benefits support, specialist therapies and exercise classes.

Revive is here for me at times when the NHS isn’t. I know the NHS are stretched and I
appreciate everything they do. Revive does so much more and fills gaps. It shouldn’t have
to, but it does. Without it, my quality of life would be significantly worse”

Step by step, Karen started to rebuild her confidence and strength. Regular physiotherapy helped her manage her symptoms and maintain her independence. One-to-one Counselling sessions gave her a safe space to process the emotional impact of MS.

Most importantly, when she had to stop working, she found a community of people who truly understood what life with MS is like.

Revive provides community and it provides a sense of belonging somewhere. Somewhere you don’t feel ‘less than’ others around you and the difference Revive makes for me every single week has just changed my life dramatically for the better.

Every week, hundreds of people like Karen rely on Revive MS Support for physical, emotional, financial and social support – all made possible by donations from people like you.

Find out more about the support we offer for those with MS and donate today to make a life-changing difference to countless people like Karen with MS.