Jean’s Story: A life of purpose and service while living with MS

Can you tell me about your MS and how it has affected your life?

I was diagnosed in my early 40s, and I’m 78 now. It’s been a slow progression over the years, so I’ve had time to adjust. I’ve tackled it like a project, figuring out the best tools to stay independent. For example, I’ve found a special wheelchair that lets me go up mountains. I’ve been on quite a few, actually. My favourite is the one behind my house, Latt. The founder of the company that runs this initiative became a close friend of mine, and I’ve been up several mountains with her. Unfortunately she no longer does this.

I’ve also dedicated a lot of my energy to community and environmental work. I chair the Eco Church Committee in our village, and we recently earned the Gold Eco Church Award. It’s one of only 60 in the country and a huge achievement. It’s taken over 10 years of consistent work to make our church more sustainable, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of. Working on initiatives like this has kept me going, even as my MS has worsened.

My feet have been infected recently, and I’m in a lot of pain. I can’t stand as much as I used to, but I’m working on strengthening my muscles. I’m determined not to just sit back and let it get the better of me.

And, how do you feel about the help you’ve had at home over the years?

I live in a cottage with a beautiful view, which I’ve used in the past as an incentive to get help when I couldn’t afford the care I needed. Since my husband died 10 years ago, it’s worked well. 

I’d offer a room in exchange for a few hours of help each day, things like filling the holes in my drive, laying the fire, or bringing in logs. 

My current lodger is amazing. The fact that I was offering him free accommodation in return for a couple of hours' help a day worked out great. I’ve been so lucky with him - lots of the people I’ve had staying with me have been great, but some I’ve had to let go quite quickly. 

He’s in his thirties, young, fit, and healthy, and he’s incredibly kind. He’ll step in and do anything that’s needed. 

How did you first discover medical cannabis and come to find Releaf?

My first experience was with cannabis chocolate. A couple in the north of the county made it. He grew the cannabis, and they used premium shop-bought chocolate to make bars. They gave them out for free and just asked for donations.

One square at night helped me sleep without needing to get up, and I took them for quite a while. Unfortunately, the police eventually arrested them and shut it down. They didn’t go to prison but had to stop, which was heartbreaking because it helped so many people. 

I’m not sure how I discovered Releaf. I wasn’t searching for it, but I do join MS-UK’s webinars and suddenly, I found out I was eligible. I don’t quite know how it happened. I had been following the story of medical cannabis for some time and thought we ought to be doing something like that in this country.

How has your experience with Releaf been?

I’ve only had a couple of appointments with Releaf. My own doctor knows about it and said she has no problem with me using medical cannabis. 

The consultations I’ve had with Releaf have gone well, the doctors have been very nice. I didn’t really ask much during them because I already knew about medical cannabis. I was prescribed both oil and flower.

I’ve been very grateful to Releaf because it was getting to the point where I couldn’t sleep because of a lot of pain in my legs. Now, at around half past 9 or 10 o’clock at night, I take my 0.3 milligrams of medical cannabis oil, and I sleep like a log all night until about 7 o’clock the next morning. It’s brilliant. Good sleep makes such a difference, and I didn’t realise how much I’d been missing it

I’ve even started vaping the flower. I’ve never done that sort of thing before because I don’t smoke. I’m still deciding about it -  have only tried that a handful of times so far, but I think I will carry on with it, as it’s been very supportive.

Using medical cannabis has also helped me stay somewhat independent. Life’s been hectic lately, and there’s been talk of continuing care or going into a home, which I don’t want to do. Medical cannabis has made it possible for me to manage my health issues better and keep living in my own space, which is very important to me.

Have you shared your medical cannabis journey with friends or family, and would you suggest medical cannabis to anyone else?

I’ve only told my sister about my medical cannabis prescription so far, and she has been very supportive. As long as it is helping me, she doesn’t see any issue with it. 

I think medical cannabis is great and definitely worth a try. I’ve found it incredibly supportive for managing my pain and improving my sleep. It’s made a difference to my quality of life, and I would suggest it to anyone struggling with similar issues.

Do you have any hopes or plans for the future?

Not really. At the moment, the life I have isn’t what it used to be. I was so independent, and now I’m becoming too dependent on others. I don’t like it. I keep telling people I’m going to stop it all because I’ve had a fantastic life, with loads of stories to tell. 

I feel like I’ve done everything I wanted to do, so why prolong things? I keep saying, ‘Maybe just another week’, or ‘I’ll get through Christmas’, but after that, I’d be quite happy to go.

That said, I’m very grateful for the support I have found through Releaf and for the good life I’ve had.