nursing

onesocietycarersNewsEngland updateWales updateScotland updateNorthern Ireland updateMS newsResearch focusOne Society“He cares for meon a daily basis”Alex, aged 26, was nominatedfor MS Carer of the Year in 2014.His support is invaluable to hisgirlfriend Stephanie, who has MS.Stephanie describes Alex asher ‘rock’, who helped herthrough the initial diagnosistwo years ago when she felt ‘ashadow of her former self’. Afterexperiencing a relapse whenshe was in her second year atuniversity, Stephanie thought shewould never graduate. However,with Alex’ssupport,she graduallyrecovered and built up theconfidence to return and, as aresult, she is now looking aheadto a Master’s degree.Stephanie says: ‘I was a wreckwhen I first became ill and it wasAlex who was always there forme. He cared for me on a dailybasis and I felt so guilty, but henever made me feel like a burden.‘Alex always encourages me totry and experience new thingsdespite my condition. MS is neverthe centre of attention. We talkabout it, of course, but he hasnever let it dominate our lives –this makes such a difference tohow I go about living mine.’REAL LIFECarry on nursingOceans of HopeinsightMental strengthEmotional perfectionismI wish I had known...homeHelp for carersand familiesSupport and informationto help you in yourcaring role.25