Cwmbran man with MS starts YouTube channel to help others

South Wales Argus

2 days ago

MS or as it's medically known Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling, disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
It's an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath that covers nerve fibres.
In some cases, MS can lead to paralysis, speech difficulties, and bladder or bowel problems.
There is no cure for MS however, treatments can slow its progression.
Mike Gale runs a You Tube account called Myelin and Me focused around MS (Image: Mike Gale) Mike Gale, 49, from Newport and now living in Cwmbran, has been making videos on his Youtube Channel 'Myelin and Me.'
Mike was officially diagnosed with MS in 2019 after years of unexplained symptoms and has grossed around 100 subscribers through his platform.
Mike said: 'One of the reasons I'm doing the channel is because I think, had I known more at the time, I could have been diagnosed earlier.
'I was left to manage things on my own. Cramps, tremors, and everything else. I started off okay but then it progressed quite rapidly, which was a bit of a bind really.'
Mike Gale runs a You Tube account called Myelin and Me focused around MS (Image: Mike Gale) Mike's journey began in 2015 whilst out on a run, he told the Argus: 'My left leg started hitting the floor oddly.'
After this he was diagnosed with a variety of conditions, but none explained what was really going on.
It wasn't until 2018, after Mike and his wife took matters into their own hands that things started moving.
He said: 'Eventually I had scans that showed lesions on my brain and spine, and a lumbar puncture confirmed that I had MS.'
Unfortunately for Mike, his MS had progressed to non-active secondary progressive MS which meant that disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) were no longer an option for him.
He now uses a wheelchair.
Mike Gale runs a You Tube account called Myelin and Me focused around MS (Image: Mike Gale) Despite the setbacks, Mike is determined to make a difference and Myelin and Me is a raw, unfiltered look at life with MS.
Mike said: 'There wasn't anything out there that really showed what MS looks like day to day. It's not polished or perfect it's real.
'I wanted to raise awareness, bust some myths, and help people with MS feel seen and less alone.'
Some of the videos on Myelin and Me includes 'Alcohol made my MS worse, and I didn't even realise it' and 'Ms & PIP How to survive the Pip assessment.' Mike Gale runs a You Tube account called Myelin and Me focused around MS (Image: NQ) In addition to running his channel, Mike works full-time and credits his employer for being incredibly supportive, allowing him to work from home and he's not stopping there.
On September 27, Mike will be taking on a major challenge. Climbing Pen y Fan. The goal is to prove people with MS can still live a fulfilling life.
Mike explained: 'A friend of mine who also has MS called me and said, 'I'm building a wheelchair to get up Pen y Fan and I'm building one for you too.'
Mike of course said yes. He said: 'No matter how bad your condition is, you can still do stuff.'
Mike's channel can be viewed here alongside his website which also raises awareness surrounding MS.