Wiltshire woman shares MS story to educate others on condition
Yinka Kilani says her life has changed in so many ways since her diagnosis
A Wiltshire woman has shared how being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) has impacted her life.
Yinka Kilani, who lives in Wilton, has told Greatest Hits Radio her story to help educate others on the condition.
According to the MS Society, over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, with 135 diagnosed each week. The condition affects the brain and spinal cord and impacts how people move, think and feel.
Research by the charity found almost 9 in 10 people have heard of the condition, but only 1 in 5 knew it's people in their 30s and 40s who are most likely to be diagnosed with it.
Their survey of over 2,000 people found only a third know women are more likely to develop MS.
The charity also found that less than a third know that smoking, obesity and lack of sunlight can increase a person’s risk of developing the condition.
Well-known people who live with MS include British Paralympian Kadeena Cox OBE, who was diagnosed at the age of 23, while actor Christina Applegate was in her 40s when she was diagnosed with the condition.
Yinka's story
Yinka, who is now 53, was 37 when she was diagnosed with MS.
Shortly after giving birth, she began to feel pins and needs in her hands and numbness in her legs, which reach the point of leaving her unable to walk.
Yinka said she'd not heard of MS prior to her diagnosis at hospital.
"I was so confused," she said, telling us she kept asking herself "what kind of illness is this?"
Yinka says she was forced to adapt to a 'new normal', and found herself needing to listen to her body more.
"You can't do things like before," she said, telling us that she's changed her diet to be gluten and dairy free as well as trying to reduce carbs.
She said it's easy for people with MS to gain weight, as they're not as active as they used to be, which can lead to other issues, including mental health.
More knowledge of the condition needed
"When I look back, there's so many things I don't do anymore," Yinka said.
She said that she's no longer able to commit to meeting with friends, because she doesn't know how she will feel until closer to the date.
"Even then, there's no guarantee," she said, "guarantee I could actually wake up and my legs are so painful and I have to call and say I'm really sorry I cannot make it anymore."
At times, Yinka finds herself unable to sleep because of the pain she's in, with evenings being her worst time of day as her body is so tired.
She told us that because MS affects everyone differently, it's not possible to generalise the illness, meaning that even though she's able to work part-time, other people may be more severely impacted and unable to do the same.
Yinka says a better understanding of the illness is needed, because the condition doesn't always mean normal things aren't possible.
She told us that there are days where she feels better and able to work and is urging employers to stand by staff who are diagnosed with the condition.
Sarah Rawlings Executive Director of Research and External Affairs at the MS Society, said: : “It’s great so many people in the UK have heard of multiple sclerosis, but these new findings show we have lots of work to do to increase understanding around the condition affecting younger people.
“MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable and we know it often strikes at a time when people are making big life choices about careers, relationships and family. If there’s greater understanding of MS – that could make a huge difference, from taking the fear away from a diagnosis, to making conversations with family, friends and employers that little bit easier.”