Celebrating Strength, Independence and MS Awareness Week 2025
From April 28 to May 4, we proudly celebrate Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week 2025. It's a time to uplift voices, share inspiring journeys, and reaffirm our commitment to helping people with MS live full, independent lives.
Life with MS: Challenges and Triumphs
Receiving a diagnosis of MS can be a deeply emotional experience. It often raises questions about how to continue living life to the fullest - including the ability to drive, maintain independencea concern for many. But at Herts Ability, we’re here to offer support, assessments, and real solutions to empower people living, including the ability to drive, maintain independence, and stay connected with the world.
MS can affect individuals physically and cognitively, making safe driving a concern for many. But at Herts Ability, we’re here to offer support, assessments, and real solutions to empower people living with MS.
We’ve been supporting drivers with MS for many years, and we’re proud to see so many of our clients regain their freedom and confidence behind the wheel.
Celebrating Carol’s Journey
We’d like to take a moment this week to say a huge congratulations to Carol Carlin from Buckinghamshire - one of our amazing clients who embodies the spirit of MS Awareness Week.
Here’s what Carol had to say about her experience with Herts Ability:
“I will always be grateful to Herts Ability for helping me get my independence back and giving me the confidence to use an adapted car.
I’m a 63-year-old woman living with MS. About 16 years ago, I switched from a manual to an automatic car after losing feeling in my left foot. But in 2020, I began to lose feeling in my right foot too and had to stop driving altogether.
Losing the ability to drive meant losing a degree of independence. I became reliant on my husband and family to get to work and medical appointments.
About a year ago, I accepted that my legs weren’t going to improve and began researching adaptive vehicles. That’s when I discovered Herts Ability.
From my first call with Tara to my assessment with James, I felt hopeful again. I successfully passed my driving assessment, had my vehicle adapted, and today- I’m back on the road!
James, my driving instructor, was incredibly patient while I learned the new adaptations. I’m so grateful to the entire team.
Herts Ability has literally given me my independence back - thank you!”
Let’s Talk About MS
If you’re living with MS, know this: you are still the same person the day after diagnosis as you were the day before. Your knowledge, your experiences,and your skills are still yours.
We understand that opening up abWhether you’re sharing with others or understanding it yourself, writing things down canout MS can be tough. Here are some thoughtful tips, shared by Wendy - an MS Society volunteer and aspiring counsellor - to help guide those early conversations:
🗣 There’s no right or wrong time to talk about MS. Do it when you're ready.
🗣 Prepare yourself. Think through what you want to share and with whom.
🗣 You decide how much to share. Only open up to people you trust.
🗣 Expect a range of reactions. Most people will support you - some may need time.
🗣 Writing can help. Whether you’re lifelong condition that affects the central nervous system, disrupting the communication betweensharing with others or understanding it yourself, writing things down can bring clarity.
🗣 Know your rights at work. You’re not obligated to tell your employer unless specific conditions apply.
🗣 You’re not alone. There’s a whole community and wealth of support out there.
What is MS?
Multiple Sclerosis is a lifelong condition that affects the central nervous system, disrupting the communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
Over 130,000 people in the UK live with MS.
It’s most commonly diagnosed in your 30s, 40s, or 50s - but symptoms can begin much earlier.
Head here to learn more or to find resources for support.
This MS Awareness Week, let’s keep listening, learning, and lifting each other up. Have a story like Carol’s to share? Get in touch with us - we’d love to hear from you!
we proudly celebrate Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week 2025. It's time to uplift voices, share inspiring journeys, and reaffirm our commitment to helping
