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Student Liz chases her dream of becoming a vet after MS diagnosis at 42

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A woman who was told she had multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 42 years old is preparing to take part in a sponsored skydive to raise money for a support group that she says changed her life. 

Liz Bartrum, from York, was living her life as normal when one day, she suddenly lost vision in her left eye.  

“It was petrifying at the time because I had no idea what was happening. It was really painful, like I had been punched in the eye, so my first thought was whether I had banged into something or fallen over,” she said. 

Liz’s vision gradually returned in the weeks that followed, and her life had seemingly returned to normal. Then six years later, she experienced the same sudden sight loss, but in her right eye this time. 

Tests revealed Liz was suffering from optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve, and a common eye problem strongly associated with MS. Other symptoms experienced by Liz include numbness in the right side of her body and vertigo, and she was later diagnosed with MS. 

Liz, who is now 44, says meeting the York, Ryedale and District MS Society group had a profound impact on her life. She has since left her job in a bank where she dealt with insolvency, risk and restructuring, and joined Harper & Keele Veterinary School where she is currently studying Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She has also launched her own podcast to support other people with MS. 

On May 4, Liz will be joined by two fellow students from her course and other members of the support group for the fundraising skydive in Bridlington. As well as offering support to each other about managing symptoms, the group also offers access to a range of activities.  These activities range from social events which enable people to leave their houses, to Sportablility events which open up sports to everyone of all physical abilities. 

Liz said: “It wasn’t a surprise when I was diagnosed because I knew by then I had quite a few symptoms of MS. The treatment for the condition has really come on in the last five years but the downside is that it’s immunosuppressive, so my immune system to fight off infections and diseases has been weakened. I have to be careful to avoid large crowds and busy areas, and do things like go shopping or to the gym when it’s quieter, and I’m very aware of people coughing or sneezing nearby. 

“When I went along to the group, it just changed my life. It’s such a welcoming and friendly group and just being with people who understand what you are going through and can support one another makes such a big difference. I do consider myself to be one of the luckier ones after meeting other people in the group and hearing their stories. 

“There are people in the group who, for example, haven’t been able to work for several years, and I’m very lucky that isn’t my life at the minute. The biggest thing it has taught me is to make sure I live my life fully and make the most of what I have now, rather than putting stuff off until tomorrow or the next week, because there might come a point where I’m not able to do it. 

“When I was working in the bank, I thought to myself if I died now, would I be able to say I had done what I wanted to do and would I be happy, and my answer was always ‘no’. When you’re younger you think you’ve got all the time you want but then when you receive a diagnosis like MS, it suddenly shifts your priorities, and you realise we’re not going to be here forever.  

“That’s why I gave my job up in the bank to do something more caring and something a bit more meaningful to me. I’d helped out at a cat rescue for a number of years and that involved speaking to vets quite regularly, who I built up good relationships with, and they gave me the confidence to pursue a career as a vet. I’m really enjoying my degree, and the school has been fantastic with any support and adjustments I’ve needed for my studies.” 

The skydive is being held on the final day of MS Awareness Week in the UK, which starts on April 28. 

Liz added: “I’ve tried to not think about the skydive too much. I’ll probably be screaming all the way down but it’s so nice to be doing it with people from the support group, and I’m so grateful that two of my friends from the vet school are doing it with me. It’s fantastic knowing that we are raising money for such a worthy cause.”