A mum from Rudheath in Northwich has been talking about the impact being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has had on her and her family as a huge MS information and lifestyle event comes to Manchester.

MS Life, an event organised by the MS Society, is happening in Manchester on April 26 and 27.

It’s aimed at people with MS as well as their family and carers. It will feature talks from scientists on the latest in MS research as well as workshops and a lifestyle exhibition. It’s the largest event of its kind in Europe.

People can register for their free place by going to www.mslife2014.org.uk.

Claire Garton is 41 and was diagnosed with MS in 2008. At the time she’d been suffering from dizzy spells. She says her MS now affects her in a number of ways. She has cognitive issues and says her memory is awful and she describes fatigue as a “big bugbear”.

Claire has two daughters – Lauren and Ellie – who are 15 and 10. She says they’ve both been very supportive.

She said: “We had a DVD from the MS nurses to explain to Lauren what MS was. She’s really understanding, very good and helps quite a lot.

“She now talks to Ellie, who wouldn’t have understood at the time I was diagnosed, she’s just getting to that age now.”

Claire says her husband has been very supportive too, although he was in a denial for a long time because she didn’t look any different.

Her mum and her aunt also live with MS and Claire says she often talks to her aunt if she needs to speak to someone.

The 41-year-old says MS has affected her career, and admits it’s been tough.

She said: “I’m not able to work anymore so am at home looking after the children. I worked at Barclays Bank for 24 years in HR.

“I went poorly in September 2012 and in July 2013 had to stop working. It was awful, I felt like I’d lost my identity. I’d gone from being Claire to just being Lauren and Ellie’s mum.”

Claire recently got involved with the Vale Royal branch of the MS Society – and says it’s made a huge difference.

“I wanted to keep busy to keep my brain ticking over so I got in touch with the branch. I sit as an escort on the minibus and I’m also part of a little team of people who do fundraising. As part of this, my daughter did a cake sale at school in November, she raised £240 and she’s only 10.

“My eldest daughter has arranged access to the school hall on a monthly basis so we’re going to be using that for coffee mornings for the local community. We’ve also done a quiz night which went down really well.”

Clare says she’s also made friends through the MS Society, so always has someone there if she needs to talk.

For more information about MS Life go to: www.mslife2014.org.uk.