I’m from Hayling Island in Hampshire. I was diagnosed with myasthenia shortly before Christmas in 2016.

The first symptom I started to experience was double vision which took me to visit an optician to get it checked out who in turn recommended me to see my GP and he referred me to a neurologist who diagnosed me as having myasthenia without making any tests. Once I was started on medication there was an immediate and dramatic improvement.

I had lots of concerns about the impact on my new condition would have on my life, particularly as I live on my own and my family was very keen that I sell my home and move closer to them so that they could support me better.

I was so pleased that I found out about myaware and very grateful to Steve Saunders, who advised me that it was very early days after diagnosis and not to do anything rash, as in most cases things settle down and the condition can be managed quite well as time goes on. Six months on and I am so glad that I did not sell up as I am very happy where I am in Hayling Island.

I read up as much as I could on the internet and various leaflets to find out about my new rare condition and now understand how the signal from the brain to the muscle nerve ending becomes blocked. Where I initially had difficulties with swallowing, speech and double vision the steroids I am now taking help considerably with these.

Due to my double vision I have given up driving and I now use the local buses to get around as well as my power-assisted bicycle. In an effort to try to stay as active as possible I also swim 10 lengths at a local swimming pool getting up at 5:00 a.m. to ensure I am there nice and early.

Being over 70 years old, I consider that I have an interesting life. Having worked in the financial world with Barclays for 20 years I have also worked selling Encyclopaedia Britannica, working as a handyman and also promoting recording studios where I was fortunate to work with the Nolan Sisters.

Whilst helping out with a roof repair some 7 years ago, I fell off a ladder and unfortunately fractured my skull which resulted in ongoing hearing difficulties. To help with this problem I have been learning to lip-read as well.

Having recently attended my first myaware support group get-together I picked up a lot of straight forward advice and it was good to meet and speak to others in the same situation. I have had lots of positive messages from myaware in their newsletters, online and through the local regional organiser. I feel so much more confident about things now

Finding myaware has made an enormous difference since the days when I was first diagnosed!