A Lanarkshire model has opened up about being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis aged 28 – and why she’s determined to fight back.
Natalie Muir, from Gartcosh, was given the heartbreaking news by doctors weeks after she noticed she had lost feeling in one of her feet.
The full-time dental nurse is documenting her battle to raise awareness about the incurable condition. It is more prevalent in Scotland than in any other country in the world, with around 15,000 sufferers.
Natalie first realised something was wrong when she woke up one morning and realised her left foot was numb. By Friday, the sensation had spread up the left hand side of her body.
She was taken to A&E, where it was initially suspected she had a vitamin B12 deficiency.
After two MRI scans and a lumbar puncture, she received her devastating diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis by phone call in April.
The condition affects the brain and spinal cord and can cause chronic pain, fatigue and sight and balance problems.
She told Glasgow Live: "It hit me like a ton of bricks and I broke down – but I felt relieved in a bizarre way. I knew there was a reason why I felt how I did. Many other people go undiagnosed for years.
"The doctor seemed sad to be giving the news over the phone rather than in person due to covid but I'm glad he did, so I could digest it all in the comfort of my own home. "
Natalie threw herself into researching MS and found other sufferers who spoke about common symptoms such as "brain glitches" while climbing stairs or dropping plates and cups. "It all began adding up for me," she added.
She ditched takeaways and overhauled her diet to include plenty of nutrients and has also taken up yoga for balance and to boost her mental health.
She credits her six-year career as a promotional model and boxing ring girl touring the UK with the likes of Josh Taylor and Tony Bellew as giving her the fighter's mentality she needs to live a full life as she gets to grips with her condition.
"I wasn't the most confident girl when I was scouted to do it but I pushed myself out there and it was an amazing experience," she said.
"I learned so much from the fighters about listening to your body and focusing your mind – and it's the same with MS. Try and have a positive mindset and take care of your body too..
"I've looked into the disease and I've found so many inspiring people who are living with it and talking about it."
Natalie kickstarted her own Instagram page Facing MS to share her own experiences, and hopes to prove that people living with the condition can still go out and enjoy socialising like anyone else.
She has also received dozens of messages from other sufferers from all over the world sharing support and asking for advice.
"Social media can be toxic at times but its an amazing tool for people like me. I've made actual friends who are on similar journeys," she said.
"People who have lived with MS for years are messaging me to say I have helped lift their spirits and I just think, 'you're an inspiration to me.' My page has helped me so much during my diagnosis. I feel I need to give back and help someone else.
"If you're suffering from symptoms like numbness and tingling, don't be afraid to push your GP for tests. I've read so many stories of people suffering and it not being picked up by their GP."
Above all, Natalie hopes to encourage people not to let themselves be defined by their health issues and to keep a positive mindset.
She said: "People don't realise their own strength until they need to. If someone told me two years ago I'd be where I am after being diagnosed I’d never believe it – yet here I am being positive. It's all about mind over matter.
"I want people to know that there is life after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. You're more than what your health status is."
You can follow Natalie on Facing MS on Instagram. To find out more about MS, visit the MS Society's website.
