Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Alice's friend was initially diagnosed with mild' MS, his illness progressed rapidly and he is now completely incapacitated by it and receiving 24 hour care at home. Alice has continued to visit him frequently over the years. She feels that she still receives as much care from him as she gives.
Alice, age 35, is an interior designer. She is white British, single, with no children. Alice has a deep and continuing friendship with a man who used to be her...
Christine's friend was diagnosed with MS sometime before telling her about it. They have maintained a close relationship, while living apart, though they have both struggled to come to terms with the disabilities that the illness brings.
Christine, age 50, works as a medical secretary. She is Caribbean British, single, with no children.
Nick's older brother was diagnosed with MS while abroad on a university scholarship. Currently, he lives independently and leads a happy positive life. Nick is ready to provide support for his brother when need be.
Nick, age 30, is a marketing manager. He is white British, single and lives with his parents.
Kay's brother was diagnosed with MS in 2000 at the age of 25. He is now profoundly disabled and lives in a care home. Kay visits him two or three times a week and thinks of herself as his champion and advocate since both their parents died. [Kay's brother died in January 2012, after she spoke to us].
Kay, age 38, is a communications officer for a housing association. She is white British, lives with her partner and has no children.
Her mum was diagnosed with MS when Nicola was a young teenager. They lived together through Nicola's teenage years. They live in separate towns now and see each other about once a month.
Nicola is 32 and works in the NHS as a psychotherapist. She is white British and lives with her partner. They have no children.
Anita's mum was diagnosed with MS when Anita was about 11 years old. Anita spent most of her teenage years and young adulthood as her mum's primary carer. She feels that this experience has had lasting consequences for her, both negative and positive.
Anita, age 37, works as a human resources manager. She is white British, engaged to her partner and has no children.
Carole spent her teenage years as the main carer for her mum, who had a rapidly advancing primary progressive MS. They were years of secrecy and isolation in which no one talked about the situation. Carole now has secondary progressive MS herself and is much more open about talking about it with her own teenage son.
Carole, age 53, is a road safety officer. She is white British, divorced, with one child.
Jean's son was diagnosed with MS in the late 1980s. Jean and the rest of the family were shocked at the diagnosis, though her son was relieved it wasn't a brain tumour. His own positive attitude to life with the illness has helped Jean come to terms with it herself.
Jean, age 71, is a retired district nurse. She is white British, divorced, with four adult children.
Norma's eldest son was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 1990 and she cared for him until his death in 2003. She now cares for her youngest son, who was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2003. Norma founded the charity, Shane's Project, which provides support for carers and people with MS.
Norma, age 70, is a retired restaurateur. She is Black/Caribbean, divorced, with five children.
Sarah's mum has MS and from an early age Sarah took on caring responsibilities. Along with caring she is also an advocate for younger carers, providing help and support in her local area. Ray's wife was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 1980, before the birth of their daughter, Sarah. The progress of the illness has been slow, but with some severe relapses. Ray and Sarah both feel that MS has made them closer as a family.
Sarah is 17; white British, and studies Health and Social care at college. Ray, age 57, is a retired labourer. He is white British, married, with one child.
