Dive to Fight MS - Mike Parker

An illustrated banner that says "Dive to Fight MS" and depicts a man skydiving.

Mike Parker is a 40-year-old family man, living in Lincolnshire, England. Mike loves to joke, supports West Ham United, and jam to 80s rock music. Since his multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in August 2022, he’s found new hobbies like gardening and going to the gym, and he’s taken up a coffee habit to get him through the symptoms. He’s also taken up podcasting and social media as awareness outlets for sharing his journey. His mantra is, “I’ve got MS, MS doesn’t have me.”

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Who knew that zip lines are a way to give back to the MS community?

Given how much my life has changed because of multiple sclerosis (MS), anytime an opportunity arises for me to support an MS charity, I jump at the chance — figuratively, of course. I recently learned that the MS Society UK is organizing another of its zip line…

MS patient Mike Parker in front of a wooded area with a river.

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I had smooth sailing on my Ocrevus infusion day

Where does the time go? Six months had passed since my last treatment, which meant it was time for another. After my August 2022 diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), I was given only one option for treatment: Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), which is a disease-modifying therapy that’s used…

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Despite MS, I’m regaining the desire to get behind the wheel

At the age of 40, I’ve never passed my driving test. I know that’s shocking. Here in the United Kingdom, we must pass two sections to be licensed to drive: a theory test and the practical test. I’ve passed the theory part three times but was never able to pass…

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MS awareness events are an opportunity to build understanding

We’ve all heard comments from people who aren’t educated about multiple sclerosis (MS). Some that I’ve heard include “My friend had that and is fine now,” “Eating better will fix you,” and “Try a parasite cleanse.” I have to chuckle at these statements.  With March not far away,…

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Why I’m actually looking forward to a date with the MRI scanner

As those of us with multiple sclerosis (MS) know, every so often a call comes or a letter arrives telling us we have a date with an extraordinary friend: the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. For me, it seems that time has arrived again. Just a few days…

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Excursions require extra planning for those with mobility issues

Summer planning has started for my family, which means trying to arrange trips and time together. Before I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), we could simply book an excursion that looked enjoyable. But now, thanks to my mobility issues, planning is slightly tricker. In the…


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