Multiple sclerosis sufferers walk Edinburgh to london in aid of the MS Society

All living with varying degrees of MS, this page details who the MS-nificent 7 are and why it is important to them to take part in this monumental journey.

Organiser and participant, James sets out why this epic journey is so important to him personally.

"It will be 10 years to the day that I was diagnosed with MS when the walk starts. In that time no drugs or to be honest any major breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of MS. It is still a postcode lottery if you can get treatment for given types of MS and if you are diagnosed with primary progressive you are basically considered a write off. This attitude has to change and the only way to change it is for us all to mobilize and demand action educating people and government that we are worth more."

"I feel if 7 people with a disease that is misunderstood because people are largely scared of it can walk up to 400 miles and deliver a message of defiance and hope, it can only benefit those currently suffering from the disease and make a huge difference for the future. For too long we've held the line, now is the time to take it forward!"

Born 19th March 1963, Mark was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) in 2003. Since then his mobility has deteriorated to the point that walking has become difficult without holding on to things. Mark joins the team in an effort to raise the awareness of MS and prove that although his mobility is restricted, he can still cope with what life throws at him, albeit with help.

This challenge will take Mark ‘out of his comfort zone’ which will only add to his positive mental outlook on life. Mark really doesn’t like his wheelchair so will make the journey in his chair, in an attempt to come to terms with this aspect of his life.

Jennifer was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). If you looked at Jennifer you would never know she has MS; which can be typical of MS sufferers.

Jennifer takes ‘Rebif’ to minimise the relapses and maintain her mobility and health, which to date has worked extremely well. Jennifer has always had a passion for challenges and jumped at the chance to be a member of the team.

Diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, Anne explains her reasons for wanting to take part in the walk.

"It is only relatively recently that I have started to tell people about my MS – fearing that people would think- as I had previously done - that a diagnosis of MS meant that I would be in a wheelchair in 5 years. Thankfully when the walk starts it will be 5 and a half years since I first showed symptoms and no-one would know there is a problem to look at me."

"Taking part will help publicise the need for more treatments for MS and to generate support for the improvement of services such as MS nurses and physiotherapy. The walk itself will be challenging both physically and mentally – which is a little scary. But if it gives encouragement to just 1 person living with and coming to terms with their diagnosis then it will be worth it."

Mike tells us a little bit about himself and why he feels so passionate about this project.

"For about the past twenty years I have lived with MS. Refusing to face my condition, I carried on working in denial of this disease until I ended up in a wheelchair unable to move my arms and suffering from painful cluster headaches. I never accepted that I would not recover, and after 6 months I was rewarded by a return to better health."

"This challenge of walking from Edinburgh to London is very important to me, it gives me the chance to once again face the Sword of Damocles which hangs over the head of each and every person living with MS. I now choose to stand and walk for each and every member of the MS community that cannot do it for themselves and consider it a privilege to be with my fellow walkers on this event from Edinburgh to London ."

Jo Neri

Jo Explains her reasons for wanting to participate in the Edinburgh to London walk.

"I am doing this marathon walk to support the On a MiSsion team and my fellow MSers. I have Remitting Relaxing MS (RRMS) and was diagnosed in 2001. I want to show that people with MS can take on an extreme challenge. Also, I’ll be well prepared as I’m trekking the Great Wall of China for 7 days up to 8 hours per day for the MS Trust 2 months earlier from 12-21 May 2007."

"On a MiSsion however will raise awareness for the need to make diagnosis, treatment and care for MSers equal for all. What more worthwhile challenge is there? "

Everyone at On A Mission would like to wish Jo all the best with her Great Wall of China adventure in May.

Alex Plummer

"I am 19 years old and was diagnosed with MS 2 years ago. I re-sat my AS levels due to the disease and am now doing my A levels and hopefully going to university this September to study languages."

" It was thought I had primary progressive MS when I had a relapse that got progressively worse over the course of 14 months but you would never know it to look at me. I constantly challenge myself both physically and mentally and I never let my MS become an excuse for my shortcomings. I don’t hide my MS as I follow my motto of “My life is an open book, people read it at their own peril.”

"My MS has made me do many things that wouldn’t cross a sane persons mind. Wearing a wet suit while spending a day in a wheelchair and dressing up as a ninja are just a few. All this is in the name of raising money for MS charities. It is impossible for me to pass up an opportunity like this, so here I come."

Louis Nixon

Louis and I have been best mates for over 25 years, we've carried each other mentally and physically over that period and undoubtly will continue for the next 25 years!

Louis will be joining us for the enticing first week and has high hopes of raising a substantial sum of money for the cause from his students at Kingston University. Great to have you on board my friend!