Coronavirus advice update for MSers gives cause for reflection

In light of the latest advice from MSIF on coronavirus, Ian Franks finds he is in all four high risk categorizes for people with MS. And that makes him look back and wonder about the unpleasant illness he endured, starting in December in California.

Our trip to hell – part 4 – From cruise ship to hospital

Part 4 of 'Our trip to hell'. I am not blaming either the ship or its owner, Carnival, but fact is that, while healthy at the start of our week cruising to and from the Mexican Riviera, and by the end I was taken to hospital - too ill to fly home. By ‘healthy’, I mean besides multiple sclerosis that I live with all the time. This time I was tired, weak, off my food, and had a serious cough and a bad case of diarrhoea (British spelling).

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Our trip to hell – part 3 – cruising the Mexican riviera

Some people are devoted to cruise holidays while to others they are a complete anathema – certainly not their dream vacation. Lisa and I love to sail away and had several wonderful experiences. We went to Norway with Princess, the western Mediterranean with MSC, Hawaii with Norwegian, and we crossed the Atlantic with Royal Caribbean. …

Our trip to hell and back! Really? Back?

Hi everyone, sorry it has been so long since I last wrote but what started as a dream vacation two months ago, turned into a nightmare. A nightmare that has not yet finished. It will take me more than one post to let you know what happened. For now, I’ll just give you a brief …

Mobility scooters: A question of cruising

Cruise lovers have widely differing opinions about the use of mobility scooters on board ships. And that affects everyone with mobility difficulties, whether caused by a disease such as multiple sclerosis, injury, or even aging. Their views are included as comments on a story appearing on cruise.co.uk website. They vary from calls for mobility scooters …

Wheelchair-users not able to board ships at major cruise port – so much for equality

A woman whose husband was told that she could not board a cruise ship at Liverpool, England, has me thinking. The woman has a disability and was denied access because she could not leave her wheelchair to board her ship. When her husband tried to book the cruise, he was informed that the port of …

Wheelchair user’s dream: Motorized, foldable and lightweight

As regular readers will know, I am a bit of an advocate when it comes to accessibility and mobility issues and, from time to time, do address these subjects. Those subjects are of particular interest to me as I have to use a wheelchair as my mobility is severely restricted because of multiple sclerosis. Occasionally, …

Norovirus: Sanitisers not as good as soap and water

Some people refuse to go cruising for various reasons but the one fear that seems responsible for the reluctance of many is that of becoming ill in an on-board epidemic of one type or another. And, without a doubt, the most well-known bug that dominates their thinking is the Norovirus – and that is emphasised …

Before our Hawaii cruise, it was time to enjoy Oahu

When I was a first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, my life didn't change but 14 years later it has - now my mobility is severely affected but my determination to enjoy life hasn't changed. I see no reason to shut myself away and suffer; my need is to get out and live life as well as …

Sunny and warm outdoors on winter cruise

There’s something rather special about choosing a December cruise in the northern hemisphere and wearing shorts, t-shirts and sandals – all without feeling cold. Yes, in the northern hemisphere. Yes, in winter. But lovely sunny weather and not at all cold. How can that be? Well, Lisa and I were cruising around the Hawaiian Islands. …