MSMS: The Many Stories of Multiple Sclerosis

Diagnosis can feel like someone has quietly swapped out the map of your life while you weren’t looking. On World MS Day, Colleen sits with that reality and talks about what can happen after hearing “you have MS” and how honesty matters more than forced optimism.  Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally c...

Colleen shares some of her thoughts, talking about what it feels like when people question disability when a person happens to look well, and how those “compliments” feel to a person with MS. Beginning with the 'invisible illness' issue ... something that needs talking about. Feel free to share this episode, please do, and for the other episodes that have gone before - please listen to o...

Colleen shares answers to some questions about life with MS, from Australians in the MS community. If you're in the Facebook group attached to this podcast, please keep a look-out for future questions.. Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally created to support those interested in HSCT and now exist...

In this special episode we step away from MS in support of another neurological condition - Motor Neurone Disease (MND). As a part of the international #Podcasthon charitable initiative, Colleen has chosen to support MND by raising awareness of that condition, and speaks with Andrew Collins from MND NSW to learn what MND is, and about the services and care needed to support people impacted. To lea...

Why MSMS needed to take a pause - and soon a dive into this year's  Podcasthon, coming next month.  Podcasthon takes us on a path toward helping others who live with neurological disease, listen as Colleen explains. If any episode of this podcast has meant something to you, if a story has helped you feel less alone or better understood, or maybe you learnt something through hearing someone el...

Colleen reflects on a year of MS stories and shares gentle holiday wishes with an invite to future MS storytellers from across Australia to join the conversation. Email msmspodcast at proton.me Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally created to support those interested in HSCT and now exists to facilitat...

In this episode Colleen introduces Amy (from Queensland's Sunshine Coast) and their conversation takes a look at MS decision‑making and the courage to choose a path that fits your temperament. Amy also talks with Colleen about her diagnosis, cost shock, her experience of Mavenclad side effects, community wisdom, and the quiet power of taking control. If you’re weighing your choices or how to...

Falling prey to a scam can happen to anyone, but for those living with multiple sclerosis, the risks can hurt more than our bank account. The uncertainty of MS can create vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. It’s important to stay hopeful about advances in treatment — but also to stay informed, so hope isn’t taken advantage of. Note from Colleen: This episode is about helping people with MS avoi...

In this episode, Colleen shares information on Car-T therapy. If interested in learning more or potentially participating in clinical trials, resources like the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) https:/www.anzctr.org.au provide valuable information about ongoing studies. Eligibility criteria are specific, and participation in any trial is an important decision that should in...

Listen as Teresa shares her post-treatment challenges – beginning with a looming cyclone. Despite her husband's careful preparations for Teresa's  recovery, challenges came one after the other. Even with the setbacks, Teresa's journey from caregiver to patient has come full circle, creating deeper connections and understanding along the way. Teresa's story offers valuable insig...

Overseas Stem Cell Treatments for MS  In this episode, I speak from my personal experience of exploring stem cell treatments in the hope of slowing the progression of my MS. I am not medically qualified, so I speak from the perspective of someone who has actively searched for options and tried to make sense of what I found was being claimed. Ultimately I underwent HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Tra...

Amanda Campbell's journey from MS diagnosis to becoming a kinesiologist  demonstrates healing beyond the conventional.  The pivotal moment? An evening with friends and family that ignited possibility and revealed a new  path forward through her MS.  In this episode we hear Amanda's story about her discovery of the relationship between mindset, the nervous system, and physical healing. No...

Ashlee and Sava's story is one of partners navigating MS together, bringing us what medical textbooks can't – how the disease mixes with parenting challenges, career changes, and future planning. Listeners will hear of this young family's compounded 'complex needs' and learn that rather than dwelling on circumstances, Sava and Ashlee instead share a unique strength – somet...

A young mother of two, Amy's world turned upside down—literally—when in 2023 an unexpected attack of vertigo and vomiting signalled something wasn't right. When her husband found her sitting on the shower floor in the middle of the night, they both knew something was very wrong. Two years later, with appropriate treatment and unwavering determination, Amy has embraced a second chance at...

What if you found hope without looking for it?  Teresa’s journey begins with supporting her sister, Mary, who'd set her sights on groundbreaking treatment in Moscow. That first chapter of Teresa's story sets the stage as her story unfolds.  Teresa’s unique insight and heartfelt sharing of her experiences during and following her sister's journey is bound to leave listeners inspired,...

Diagnosed with one medical condition, Vicki would have had no idea it was just the beginning. In this episode we hear how Vicki not only faced her challenges - including her determination and battle to undergo the untrialled treatment CCSVI for her MS - but has gone on to use the lessons she’s learned through her own experiences, combined with knowledge gained through her work and her studies, to...

There are so many living with Multiple Sclerosis, and connecting with each other in whatever way we can, can  comfort and support no matter what stage of our MS journey we find ourself. Colleen was recently contacted by the Modern Buddhism Podcast who wished to share one of their episodes, the story of Buddhist nun Gen Kelsang Demo who lives with Multiple Sclerosis. Colleen tells of the history pr...

Brigitte had moved to Australia with her young family. Back home an aunt became  concerned when Brigitte hadn't found the answer to some familiar health issues that continued happening, so when opportunity arose  took steps to help get that answer. Why had it taken so long?  In this episode Brigitte shares her experience of Multiple Sclerosis and discusses various issues encountered along her...

Klaus travelled to Moscow with his devoted wife Trish, to undergo HSCT for his MS.  Colleen had a brief chat with Trish before recording this interview and learned that  Klaus was unique in more than one regard throughout his MS and HSCT journey. Speaking with both Trish and Klaus we hear why this was, and also about their  life after that trip, as well as Klaus' efforts and results since. Su...

In this episode Colleen and Mai, her personal trainer of the past six years, talk about many things, springing from Colleen's rehabilitation journey. When Colleen had exhausted all physiotherapy provided by the hospital after her hospital stay back home, she knew that stopping that therapy was dangerous to her goal of walking again one day. Next came hours of searching for ways to keep her re...

Anna is determined and positive there must be something that will help, but there's more that leads her forward   Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally created to support those interested in HSCT and now exists to facilitate discussion on all issues relevant to MS. Multiple Sclerosis and HSCT Aust...

Nicola's accident was unexpected - living an active life, with a fabulous career and happy future ahead all she needed to do was recover, until the shocking diagnosis ... Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally created to support those interested in HSCT and now exists to facilitate discussion on al...

Roland has written a comprehensive book around his experience of HSCT which he's happy to share via email, if wanting a copy please email Roland at roland@matthews.kiwi    In this episode you'll hear Roland speak about his book and also his next venture, to China. Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was o...

We're coming back - this week! Colleen shares the news, announcing the date for the next episode - and to kick things off, adds in a pod solo reading about a recent realisation after HSCT. Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally created to support those interested in HSCT and now exists to facilitat...

In this solo episode Colleen reads an article she wrote for her blog back in 2016,  written during the time she hoped to undergo HSCT in Australia, talking about her particular reasons and the initial steps she took toward HSCT - a poignant chapter in her story. Support the show You can join Colleen and other  Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally cr...