Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an incurable disease that only 40 years ago sufferers were told to, “Go away and live the best life you can”.
That is until a group of volunteers, whose friend had the disease, rented an industrial unit on Murdoch Road, Bedford and manhandled an oxygen chamber into it.
At that moment the MS Therapy Centre Bedford was born.
The charity has since moved to Barkers Lane and offers advice and therapies for anyone with MS who lives in Bedfordshire or Northamptonshire.
They also now have two oxygen tanks which means they can offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Val Woods was one of the original group, who brought the oxygen tank to Murdoch Road. It was 1983 and she only now realises what they had achieved back then.
She now runs the Centre’s shop which sells pre-loved clothes and is called Déjà vu.
“I would never have dreamt what was possible when we began. Every day I see people in the Centre who benefit from coming here, using the therapies available and meeting friends who understand,” said Val.
Treatments for sufferers used to be seen as primitive, today there are disease-modifying drugs which slow the rate at which the condition progresses and can control symptoms.
Whilst there is still no cure to MS, the MS Therapy Centre has helped thousands of people to live meaningful lives that are full of hope.
The centre is currently also running an initiative that is based on improving a person’s sense of well-being.
Now, no one with MS needs to feel they are alone. They can get information and advice and can find out the options available to them. Today there are a wide range of therapies.
The centres is open from Monday to Thursday 10 to 2pm and the 40th year celebrations were launched this week (3 April).
Anyone wishing to celebrate with them can visit the centre, to learn about what they do. They’ll also be treated to tea and cake and hear about all the exciting Ruby anniversary events planned until November.
The Centre also has a new hydrotherapy pool, it’s the only one in Bedford and although it is not quite finished it is a very exciting addition to the centre’s offer to MS sufferers.
Read more about the centre, and donate, at mscentrebedsandnorthants.com.
