Hi Liz, each of us can only speak of our own experiences, and, as you rightly say, we are all different. Enjoy today, everyday x.
I can’t say whether your own eyesight will get better, I can only confirm my own has deteriorated. Slow decline and bits of my body stop working, bits of my mind stop thinking. MS is a degenerative disease but none of us can say it will never get better. It’s rare to improve but not impossible. More and more research is being done than ever before, by our own MS Society plus other groups world wide, to cure this rare disease. Over 63 million residents in the UK, out of which there is only 100,000 with a form of M.S.
I was diagnosed with MS in 2011 and my driving licence was revoked by DVLA six or seven weeks later. Last year, 2016, my neurologist confirmed my type of MS is PPMS - 20,000 people 50/50 split between male and female. Hey, the good news is my Dad always said I was one in a million, yet now statistics prove I’m one in 10,000.
DVLA decision? I disagreed, strongly. So did my gp and my MS nurse. My vision was quite good except now and again, when I would have chosen to leave my car at home, by my choice! But, DVLA were only interested in medical facts and not opinion. They refused my request to appeal or even allow me a 1 day licence to take a formal driving assessment.
My daughter was harsh, she loves me unconditionally, and told me I cannot change the Law, and that my choices are: Taxi’s, buses (concessionary due to health so anyone with me travels free too), trains, boats and planes. A car boot scooter for when other people take me out. My Power Chair that travels at 4mph is my independence and has to be allowed on public transport via a law passed in 2015. The World is my Lobster (much bigger than an oyster) and my real friends and family are the people who check up on me!
My hubby, son, daughter, 4 grandchildren, brothers’, sister et al had all previously relied on me for lifts here and there. I don’t drink alcohol so I was always the designated driver at work do’s, or any ‘do’ for that matter. Whilst I felt guilty at not driving, they did not mind. They mind more about me and my safety. Of course a car is handy, it’s quick, it’s convenient but it is not essential. Not when I consider the alternative would be to continue to drive with half vision and risk not only the lives of my loved one’s but the lives of others’ loved ones too. It’s a no brainer.
Liz, I really wish you well, it’s a pig of a disease we have. It sounds like you’ve had a slow move along the MS road and hopefully you will return to that lane soon. I wish we could all assure each other that it will get better, and who is to say to won’t, but research and testing takes time and patience, whilst we just have to watch and wait.
Good luck Liz,
Chrissie x
I have SPms and it’s a drag. I am currently unable to drive because of optic neuritis messing with my perception and colour vision. I really just wondered if anyone else had experienced this and if it got better!!! The thing is I’ve had it 4 or 5 times in my left eye and it’s left the vision in that eye not as good as in my right eye. My right eye is currently going through an episode and I am terrified that it is going to leave me with vision that is not good enough to drive with. I know there are worse things in the world but I am a single parent to 3 kids who are lazy and they don’t like mums taxi being out of order!!! Cheers for reading and tia to anyone who has any insight (pun totally intended!!)