A young Edinburgh mum diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has told how she fears for the future of her young sons after the shock diagnosis turned her life upside down.
Shannon Turnbull, 25, first visited her GP in January after suddenly losing the feeling in her left leg.
Three days later, she was told she had relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).
The condition can affect the brain and spinal cord and cause episodes of new or worsening symptoms.
Three months on, Shannon, who is mum to Louis, 6, and Tommy, 1, is now housebound and left worried about her little boys as she depends on daily assistance.
Speaking to the Record, Shannon said: "When the doctors told me I had MS I knew that I would have to adjust and it would change my life and my boys’ lives too.
"I’m pretty much housebound now and I could count on one hand how many times I’ve been able to get out.
"I need someone take me down the stairs. I can’t take my kids to school, or even pick them up.
"A lot of things have changed."
Single mum, Shannon, who is now in a wheelchair, added that her illness has had a profound impact on her eldest son, Louis, who is taking on a new role of helping around the house since she her ability to walk.
She continued: "Louis was very upset when it first happened.
"He was crying before he went to school and unsettled in class.
"He’s always been a very anxious little boy and this took a massive toll on him.
"He went from seeing me being active to seeing me in a chair and he didn't understand what was wrong with me.
"Louis has to do a lot for me, which makes me feel rubbish. My six-year-old is now having to act more like a 16-year-old."
Doctors suspect Shannon may have been living with the condition undetected for three years and have now told the mum-of-two that she may never be able to walk again.
There is also no guarantee Shannon's medication will prevent her from having further relapses.
The uncertainty around what her future will now look like has been a struggle for Shannon.
She continued: "It’s horrible having to come to terms with the fact I may never walk again. It's the uncertainty of not knowing how long it’s going to be like this. Am I going to be like this for months, years, or forever?
"While I’m recovering forms this relapse, I could have multiple more relapses.
"It's left me feeling like I'm on the edge. I'm angry and upset. Why did this happen to me and my kids?
Brave Shannon is using social media platform in a bid to change attitudes towards disabilities and raise awareness of MS.
For the young mum, it has become a source of contact with the outside world since her mobility has left her feeling isolated at home.
She added: “Speaking to other people that have had similar experiences to me makes me feel like I'm not the only person going through this. Other people have recovered [from relapses] and it gives me hope.
“I’m still learning about my diagnosis. I’m still trying to get my head around it all. I’ve read loads and researched loads but I don’t know for certain what the future will bring for me and my boys.
"I’m just trying to stay positive and do everything I can for my mental and physical health. I can help to educate and support others while I’m doing that, then that would be great.”
You can follow Shannon on Instagram here and find out more about MS Society Scotland’s Wellbeing Hub here.
Morna Simpkins, Director of MS Society Scotland, said: “Life feels uncertain for everyone just now but for people living with MS that uncertainty is something they can face on a daily basis throughout their life.
"MS is unpredictable and different for everyone, and our latest research highlights how this can have an enormous impact on people.
"Our free MS Helpline, online forum and local groups can be an invaluable lifeline if you need support dealing with uncertainty.
“Our Wellbeing Hub also offers support to anyone affected by MS in Scotland. People living with MS, as well as their family and loved ones, can access one-to-one counselling, information webinars, as well as group activity sessions, to help support mental and physical wellbeing.”
