Watching the Paralympians take to the track in Paris can be inspiring, but not all of us can be professional athletes. However, exercise can play an important role for many of us when it comes to managing our symptoms.

Whilst Purpl member, Jay Marie Ashby has no plans to go for Gold in the Paralympics, she embraced running as a way to deal with her MS.

Here’s her story…

New Year, New Me

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis back in 2019 when I was 27 years old. I had just joined my first ever running club in January 2019, when 2 weeks later I went numb waist down due to a big relapse that led to my diagnosis. At the time I literally thought I was actually allergic to exercise as the timing was so bad! 

So it was a new year, and a very new me with a brand new body! 

Running with MS

My numbness waist down really stuck around. I never gained full sensation back, in my waist down, and in my hands it continued to feel different and super tingly so my running journey has always been with MS symptoms. It has not been easy – my running journey has been so up and down, but I’ve kept at it and it has been so helpful for my mind as well as my body. 

It took me so long to be able to keep running consistently and get to a 5k, I started off only being able to run for 20 seconds. However, with a lot of practice, I’m proud to say that in 2023 I ran the London Landmarks half marathon. 

This is something I just never ever imagined I would ever be able to do, and when you have a disease that can take away so many simple things away from you like your walking, eye sight, balance etc it makes it all the more special. 

Running for MS

Some days I can’t run at all due to my MS, so I just try and take every run as it comes. Running has helped me so much and my MS has made me feel so grateful for the small things I always took for granted. 

There is a saying I have heard in the MS community which inspires me: “I run because I can, and I run for those who can’t”. Therefore, I will continue to raise money and run whilst I can. I have plans to run a whole marathon one day. 

This is a cruel, unpredictable disease that has taken so much from myself and friends with MS, so I will keep going whilst I can and keep praying that there will one day be a cure.

You can follow Jay Marie on Instagram