It's 5 years since I made a new mate from Aus on this very site, congratulations to us.

Hi everyone, happy New Year and I hope you had a good Christmas.

My mate out in Tas, Australia reminded me recently that it’s 5 years since we first became friends on this very site. We exchange Christmas and birthday gifts and generally keep one another going; through good (but mostly bad days of MS), we’ve been there for one another.

I know that others have found friendships on this site, long may it continue.

I hated the computer when I was first dx. as I can no longer sit at it for long; as I suffer greatly with ‘the hug’ and arthritis of the spine but I’ve come to love it, if only to look forward to messages from my friend.

I raise a glass and a Happy New Year to ‘Sherbert’ and family, or Debs as she’s known to me now.

Take care, love Wendy xxx

Thats lovely Wendy, l hope you both get to visit one another at some time. Do you ‘skype’ together. l have a friend whose grown-up children and their families are spread around the world - and she speaks to them on skype.

Happy New Year to you and your friend and families.

hi wendy

u have sent me down memory lane-thanks!

i have been around here for 8 ish years-during that time i have met several folk in person-in my better days BUT we are still in touch now. how many do u recall from days gone by?! tav? jules? sarah? +sarah? cliff? smiler? david? leon? steve? celia? kkc? and many others including those who are no longer with us-this is a cruel malarkey-so all you newbies-please dont think i am being filppant with any of my answers. i have simply learned to speak MY truth over the years and if something rings a bell with you you use the suggestion/idea in ur way. if not just ingore what i say/write cos thats ok too!

have a happy day! that may include tears too but am sure u can find one thing to be thankful for- i know you can.

ellie x

Hi thanks for the replies, no we don’t skype spacejacket, to be honest I much prefer writing as it gives me time to think about what I want to say, instead of the usual gibberish I normally come out with.

I don’t foresee me visiting in the near future but you never know perhaps one day, meanwhile I have a friend; all those miles away, who keeps me going and yes I do remember some of the names you have quoted ellie, I’ve also been to a few funerals with my local branch too.

I hope you all have a happy day too.

Wendy x

Hi, I also have 2 special friends from this site and we e-mail each other regularly.

The first is Sheriz, she lives in the USA. we learn all lot about each other`s ways and help support one another as well as rejoice in the good times…yeh, they come along too.

My other friend is Tru, she lives in France. Again we are a great support for each other in good and not so good times. we very nearly met once, but her transport failed!

I have other special pals here too. we phone each other sometimes and bonds strengthen between us. I have met up with a few bods from here… Bradford Steph, Mary (theorising) Jean (greenhouse) Cindy (candystripe). Its great to put a face or a voice to a name. I remember when yawnarrived at our house, she saidOh Polly, youre exactly how i imagined you!

I tried skype, but it isnt easy to use as words miss bits off and cross over. Plus I can think better in an e-mail.

So congrats to you and your pal Wendy, for your long lasting friendship.

Some folk may knock this site, but look what its done for us, eh? Its grand!

luv Pollx

Thanks for that Poll, you certainly have made some friends, thank goodness for this site (what the hell did people do before computers).

I agree with you about email, it does give you time to think and with my brain I need it.

Take care in 2014, long may we email.

Wendy xx