Georgina Gelpi

Georgina was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was aged 20. She offers an example that the disease is often diagnosed in young people, most of them women.

"In my case I wasn't really aware at the beginning, because although I was treated with injectables, I went more than eight years without any outbreak, living a completely normal life. I didn't fall apart like some other people have told me they did when diagnosed. I was really young, and I suppose because of my age I was thinking about other things". "It was when it affected me at work because of eyesight problems that I became more aware of the disease and it affected my mood more".

She says that the activities in the rehabilitation programme at Cemcat help her and are enjoyable, as does the fact that she is able to share her personal experience at the centre with other people who have the same disease. "But without spending the whole day talking about it. That wouldn't be good for you - there are plenty of other things! Here at Cemcat we forge social relationships that also extend outside the centre".

"I don't think of myself as a sufferer, but as someone who has a disease, and aim to be positive and make the most of every moment. You have to do everything you can do, and do it today. Live the present".