Pat Mason taking part in the seated exercise class at St Giles Hospice

A member of a support group for people with mutliple sclerosis says sessions in Whittington have helped her to deal with the condition.

Pat Mason takes part in the seated exercise classes organised by St Giles Hospice.

She said the group had helped her to cope with the condition.

Pat Mason taking part in the seated exercise class at St Giles Hospice
Pat Mason taking part in the seated exercise class at St Giles Hospice

“I have been sharing my life with MS for the past 14 years,” the 69-year-old said. “When I first found out, I tried not to let it change my life but my condition got worse, with poor mobility and all the other little problems with MS.

“I was becoming depressed. I didn’t want to go out and meet people and I worried what they might be thinking of me. Then I discovered St Giles.

“The seated exercise group was so welcoming that all the fear just seemed to vanish. Now I look forward so much to going to this Friday group and have made so many friends.”

MS Awareness Week is taking place until Sunday (May 1) with the aim of improving understanding of the condition and raise awareness of the services available to people living with it.

Around 100,000 people in the UK have the neurological condition. While most are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, it can affect younger and older people too.

Julie Nicholas, supportive care co-ordinator for St Giles Hospice, said: “We feel it is important to help MS patients in the local community live as well as possible with their condition, which is why we offer a number of specialist services.

“By attending our exercise classes and support groups, many MS patients see an improvement in their function and wellbeing – plus it’s a great opportunity for them to meet others who are going through the same thing.”

The exercise classes include movement to music catering to a range of ability levels and there is a suggested donation of £3 or £5 per session to cover the cost of refreshments.

For more details call 01543 434536 or email.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.