As far as the therapy goes, each and every one of the hydro therapists have now made such a positive contribution to my wellbeing through their professionalism, skill and care that it’s hard to put into words.

I left school age 16 with less than promising results. From there I was indentured as an apprentice in mechanical engineering; foundry, mill and shop, heavy engineering. The writing was on the industry wall, so it was off with the overalls one Friday and on with a suit on the Monday as a trainee dealer on the London Stock Exchange. Ever since, I have gone where the opportunity has taken me. I’ve worked in the conservation of antique and modern silver and jewellery, in contract furniture managing projects, operations and sales. I make furniture and ran my own business in interior design and refurbishment. Away from work, I have walked over much of Britain and Ireland, been a keen sailor, worked with Sailability, and built boats. I’m a petrol head, love motorcycles and regularly carry out work on our cars. For non-profits I run websites. I grow loads of veg, mainly tomatoes. My great love is music; I trained as a classical singer and have given many concerts and performances of opera and oratorio. We have had dogs, too, for the past 25 years and loved them all dearly. Family, all important, includes daughters and grandson.

Since my early 20s, I had issues with pain in my neck, back, arms, legs; seizures that would last days and weeks, but my GP couldn’t find anything wrong. 20 years further on during the ‘90s, I started having problems with movement control. My right leg would collapse, followed by the rest of me, with my upper body and legs losing strength and feeling. I couldn’t walk properly. There were major problems with my voice too, later diagnosed with palsy of the right vocal fold, so my singing came to an end. For over fifteen years I went back and forth to the major hospitals in London. Rheumatology, Neurology; MRI scans, tests and more tests all to no avail. My GP at the time stuck with me but had run out of ideas. Then a Neurologist told me that I had Parkinson’s. This didn’t make any sense. I asked my GP for a second opinion and was referred to the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queen Square. By 2010, age 56, I was unable to work and was forced to close my business.

After a brief inspection at the NHNN, the consultant declared that he could see no Parkinson symptoms in me whatsoever. He reviewed results from other hospitals and found a significant spinal cord lesion between c4-c5. This had been routinely dismissed as technical artifact. Eventually my condition was diagnosed as Primary Progressive Solitary Sclerosis. Apparently, this is rare, as I was the only case they had seen at the NHNN. I’ve had so many MRI scans and tests during the 17 years I’ve been at Queen Square I’ve lost count. My MRI record for brain and spine is 2 hrs 20mins which is painful in the least just lying still as well as coping with my MRI claustrophobia. Countless visits to physio, mindfulness, sleep, pain management etc all have their place, but nothing stops the pain, seizure, cramps, burning, ice cold or numbness. Nothing to cope with my inability to adapt to changes in temperature. I’ve taken all the drugs but had side effects with most of them and would have to stop driving. As if that wasn’t enough, I have worsening foraminal stenosis in my thoracic and lumbar spine. So, for the past 7 years it’s been co-codamol, which partially works. One of the main problems is that my condition is now blamed for everything. One of the lessons I’ve learnt is to take ownership of the problem; my problem.

My wife Ingrid, has supported and cared for me throughout and worked on at her demanding job during these difficult times, including downsizing our family home. Visiting Canterbury used to take us past the sign for Kent MS Therapy Centre. Last year, recovering from a massive heart attack, I was looking for physio exercise to help with recovery. None of the cardio rehab or neuro courses worked, in fact they laid me up for weeks at a time, barely able to walk at all. So, along I went to KMSTC. A quick gym induction identified that the gym was not for me and I was advised to try hydrotherapy. The induction and first sessions boosted my confidence no end and I couldn’t believe how much work my body could still do without adverse effect. Since February 2024 I have attended most weeks and the transformation has been amazing. I can walk so much better and rebuilt muscle on my legs for the first time in over 20 years. My pain levels have decreased, overall strength, motor activity and mobility has just – changed! At least until I took a break of 6 weeks coming up to Christmas. This was a mistake and I quickly reverted to my previous state. Now I realise that I need to take the therapy as medicine, with an occasional week off. Of the Centre itself; what a wonderful place. From reception onwards everyone is so friendly, supportive and on-side. The facilities are amazing and a great place to meet others in similar circumstances. I feel at ease there. As far as the therapy goes, each and every one of the hydro therapists have now made such a positive contribution to my wellbeing through their professionalism, skill and care that it’s hard to put into words.

Life changing. – John Cunningham