Stumbling In Flats: ... a funny old life with MS

by Barbara A Stensland

With a foreword by Janis H. Winehouse. Short-listed for The International Rubery Book Award 2015. If Bridget Jones had MS, this would be her diary – The MS Society. The value of the Stumbling in Flats blog … it opens so many avenues of support and understanding, not only to the sufferer, but to the family, the friends … so that they will understand what it's like to walk through treacle – Janis H. Winehouse. Social media is an increasingly important way for people affected by MS to get support, information and inspiration. Barbara's writing offers all of this plus a winning sense of humour – a vital ingredient in living well with MS. – The MS Trust From running in heels to stumbling in flats - one day in 2011, Barbara woke up unable to speak properly, walk in a straight line or stay awake for longer than a few hours. She didn't know it then, but that day was to change her life forever. In 2012, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She began blogging at www.stumblinginflats.com to show the day-to-day reality of living with MS, a teenager and a cat, in amongst coping with a rapidly-disappearing career, late-night pity-parties-for-one, discrimination in the workplace and adjusting to a whole new life with MS. She's unflinchingly honest in her portrayal and exploration of this strange new world, where the McDonald criteria are no longer a way of judging French Fries but a tick-list for an MS diagnosis. Alongside scans, blood tests, a lumbar puncture and medication, she battles with The Teenager (school uniform angst, an undying devotion to pizza) and life in general (facing 40, a non-existent fitness regime, chocolate). After two years of blogging she has now collated a large selection into a book. She's also corrected her appalling spelling and grammar mistakes along the way. In coming to terms with her diagnosis, she discovers she's actually pretty strong and can definitely see the funny side to a serious illness. You've read the misery-memoirs, now read the book that will leave you with a smile on your face.

412 pages, Paperback

First published January 29, 2015

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad for it to end

I don't have MS and don't have a child and have little in common with this author, and yet I loved it! She is a very talented writer, and I felt like she was a friend by the end of the book. I read a few vignettes each night before bed and was so sad when the book ended, because I had come to enjoy this routine so much! She is clever, funny, down-to-earth, kind, realistic, and inspiring. Thank you, Barbara, for a memorable, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Barbara's writing style. Before I picked up the book I had my doubts, thinking it'd be all doom and gloom. It did have some, but there was plenty of light!

Thank you Barbara for giving a fellow MSer something to relate to.