David Kernan grew up in Lympne near Hythe. A small village at the time, and where I grew up getting to know lots of the villagers. Being in the countryside was lovely with so many areas of countryside to play in and explore. I have a younger sister Sue, and we were lucky to grow up meeting with other relations regularly. I’m still in touch with my cousins and we love meeting up. To me, family and friends are so important.
My first job was working for Sainsbury’s. To this day I’ll never forget the day I started ( Tuesday 4th July 1978 ). I worked there until 1994 when I was unfortunately made redundant. My last role within the company was assistant night manager at the Canterbury store. During my time at the company I made lots of lifelong friends. But also that’s where I met Christine (my lovely wife). I’ve been in a few different jobs since but mainly factory or warehouse roles. My last job being at Church & Dwight where I was lucky enough to bring along my daughter and meet Pixie Lott. 
She was doing promotional work for the company and visited the factory in Folkestone where she sang a couple of her songs and posed for pictures. We have two children and four adorable grand daughters whose company we enjoy.
Outside work, I enjoy going to different sports. I’ve been to many live football matches supporting Chelsea. Also cricket, following Kent & England. Plus I’ve been to the Derby at Epsom and Rugby at Twickenham. I’ve loved travelling around the British Isles throughout my life, but unfortunately I haven’t been outside of the UK that much. Although going over to Ireland to see Christine’s family was always great fun. Back in the early 1980s I went with a mate of mine down to Italy in his HGV which was a great experience. Also, living on the Kent coast, regular trips on the ferry to France or Belgium were fun.
My very first holiday in 1979 after starting work the previous year was buying a two-week Railrover ticket for unlimited travel around the U.K. In fact in that two weeks I travelled on my own nearly 4,500 miles! Although perhaps I’m a little annoyed at not travelling more. I really think there is so much to see and do in the British Isles. Possibly my favourite place to visit is the West Country and in particular Cornwall. I recently wrote a 4000 word mini-guide for my cousin Linda on Cornwall because although she’s travelled more than anyone I know around the world, going to Cornwall was a new venture for her!
I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in the autumn of 2015. Back in mid 2014 I started to notice my right foot dragging occasionally (which obviously I now know as FOOT DROP). Initially I went to my GP thinking I had something wrong with my leg. Then I started all the tests and scans ruling out different things. At this time I was working in a factory for Church & Dwight. Whilst this was happening my colleagues and friends were saying ‘what’s wrong with your leg?’ Obviously at the time I was none the wiser. After about nine months and my struggles I had to give up work (spring 2015) not knowing what was wrong.
Eventually after possibly a total of eighteen months of more tests and scans and finally a lumbar puncture, I then saw my neurologist Dr Redmond and he sat me down to say I had PPMS. The strange thing was that I was happy! And that after all this time I knew what was actually wrong! Since I was diagnosed I’ve always had this saying ‘THERE ARE PEOPLE WORSE OFF THAN ME , SO GET ON WITH IT!‘
I cannot actually remember how I first found out about the Kent MSTC . But I remember coming up to meet Karen Middlemiss in late 2015 and being shown around. My first therapy was Oxygen starting at 12 feet and then going up to 24 feet. Also I think the Gym is brilliant as I must try to push myself and keep reasonably fit! Plus I do Reflexology with the therapists a couple of times a month. Somehow the Centre seems to attract so many wonderful staff, therapists & volunteers who between them make the Centre so welcoming.
One of the most important therapies for me is the social side and meeting so many wonderful people and sharing tips on our MS etc. I don’t think I could come to the Centre without stopping for a cuppa and a chat with all the lovely members and friends. Apart from lock-down I don’t think I’ve missed coming to this lovely Centre of ours apart from sickness, other appointments or holidays.
At the moment I’m taking part in a drugs trial for MS at the Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel) under Professor Gavin Giovannini. It’s called the O’Hand trial and hopefully it’s looking at helping people keep their upper body strength for longer. It is a two year trial and I have to go up to London for infusions every six months. This could be a Placebo or the actual drug (Ocrelizumab) Also I have MRI scans and other assessments and I’ll finish the trial early in 2024 I am very keen to help with this because you have to look at the bigger picture and think of the future and where we’ll be with MS for the next generations.
I may not have had a fancy jet-setting lifestyle, but I’ve had an enjoyable life. However I’ve been supported along my MS journey by a loving wife and family and so many other really good and helpful friends. Of course the Kent MSTC has played a massive part in this and I thank everyone for your help, support and guidance!
