Everything needs an introduction. Otherwise there is no sense of place. So what is this blog all about? Well, like all blogs are, or should be, it’s personal. The dominant subjects are Multiple Sclerosis and how to get away from it!
Multiple Sclerosis
I was provisionally diagnosed on August 23rd, 2013. After a year of testing and uncertainty, the diagnosis was finalised. Primary Progressive MS.
Since then the focus has been on keeping the progression as slow as possible. A simple target that seems to dominate a lot of my life. It has dictated the rhythm of how I lead my life and has impacted what I do and don’t do. I still say I am lucky.
Sorry, what’s that?
Yes… lucky… I have had a progressive disease for over 10 years. There has been impact. But I am still mobile, active and doing the best with what I have which is more than what I thought I would have when I was diagnosed. There will be plenty in the blog about MS and its impact and I will not pretend to be a positive machine every day of the week. The luck comes in through the people around me, from medical support to friends and family to a very supportive employer to something as random as my bike shop! The impact can be worse and I revel in the luck that I have had to make the most of the life that I have.
For a more detailed overview of my experience with MS, please take a look at the introductory page here.
Ways of Escape
This blog started out quite a few years ago. Food was the main subject. Ten years and a lot of kilos ago. I still love food and cooking. I love wine and even have a qualification though I have forgotten most of it! It’s great to talk about wine but….. I avoid wine bores! Cycling then took over as the main passion. MS progression means my love for that has changed and other interests are getting my attention back, alongside food and wine. Music is massive for me and, despite the challenges, I still go to concerts. I just stay close to the exit as I often need a break! Travel is great! Reading is something I really need to pick up again. Good for concentration. Movies! Then there is the new stuff like painting and drawing. All of these things will crop up sometimes. Not in an organised or knowledgable way. Just when I think it is nice to write about.
I will take the right the roam just a bit. It’s nice to write about what you enjoy along with the difficult stuff.
For a little more my ‘Ways of Escape’, please take a look at the introductory page here.
The Target of this Blog
There isn’t one! In a world of targeted blogs with a mission, this is just a personal ramble. A blog is meant to be personal, right? There is nothing being sold, no book or amazing treatment and no attempt to get a free bike through sponsorship….. although if there is one handy I won’t say no! Trek Madone? Pinnacle Dogma? Or a nice E-Road Bike these days…
It’s simple. I like writing. If you like what I write, that’s fine! If you don’t? No hard feelings.
Me
A lot is already written above. Besides that? Well, my name is Steve. English born but living in the Netherlands since 1998 and Dutch since earlier this year. My wife is Dutch. We have been together since meeting at university in France, way back in 1995. Actually been living longer in Holland than Britain now, bit of a landmark! I work for an American Multinational in people development and communication. A very supportive employer. I won’t blog about work but I am grateful for that. Currently I work a three day week, which took getting used to but which I now like a great deal.
So there it is. A little bit of background, something to frame the ramble that is this blog.
As for the question that starts this page. What is this blog actually all about? Well…… If you can tell me, that will be nice! Otherwise, just take a look. May be you will find something you like.
