Meg Kingston

Country: Wales
Occupation: Writer, formerly worked in IT and telecommunications

I'm forty-something, blond and live in South Wales with my husband Martin and a grey and white cat called Smotyn. I worked for many years in technical roles in IT and mobile telecommunications until my progressive MS forced me to give up full-time work in 2004. I have been on long-term sick leave ever since.

I first experienced major symptoms of what I now know to be Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 1993, but it took several years to get a formal diagnosis. My medical records mention that it was “probably MS” from the very first tests, but the doctors didn’t tell me of their suspicions. The first hint of a diagnosis was delivered in the line “Of course, even if it is MS …”.

Knowing that I would have to give up working long before I felt ready to retire, I decided to devote some of my limited energy to writing, an interest I hadn’t had time to indulge since leaving school. The idea is that I write when I have the energy, and don’t have to worry if it’s untouched for a few days or weeks. My work has been published in magazines, websites, e-zines and anthologies and my short stories have won or been short-listed in a number of competitions over the last two years. I self-published my first book in March 2006, which has since had a second print run. I am adamant that I am a writer who happens to be disabled, not a disabled writer. My work competes equally with other writers, and most readers are unaware of my disability.

I try to be positive about living with my MS. Although I’m unlikely ever to be employed again, I’ve accepted the drop in income, as it’s balanced by the fact I’m now doing something I enjoy. MS is an inescapable factor of my life, but it’s one that can be adapted to, whenever necessary. Every time the disease bowls another unexpected googly, we just make whatever changes we have to and get on with our lives.

Having moved to Wales in 2005, I can compare assistance given to people with MS in Wales to that offered in England. Although I’m not entitled to any means-tested benefits, I’ve found that the Welsh local authorities are willing to loan me equipment, make adaptations to my home, and have offered assistance I hadn’t even thought of. It’s very different to the attitude I faced under my previous local authority, where ineligibility for benefits made me invisible to practically every form of assistance that was available.

My advice to people living with the vagaries of MS is quite simple. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.” It’s easy to listen to support bodies, doctors and the MS itself, telling you to treat yourself as an invalid, but this is ultimately destructive. Approach each new symptom with the knowledge that you can adapt to it, to some degree, and strive to minimise its impact on your life. If it stops you doing one thing, find something else you can do instead. The important thing is to maintain your self-esteem.

For more information about Meg’s writing, or to order a copy of her book of short stories, visit her website. 50p will be donated to MSIF for each copy sold from the website in November.