9 Nov 2022 Community

Simon Jenkins Story

Simon Jenkins is a local New Mill, Holmfirth resident who has been accessing The Kirkwood services for the past two years and has been involved with our local community hub sessions. Simon has suffered with MS for the past 30 years.  

Simon has had relapses over the years with his condition making life and work difficult. However, in recent times he has been able to access a dedicated MS nurse and The Kirkwood’s services.  

Simon has attended our Support & Therapy sessions and says: "I went to a session in Meltham to get more information and meet more people who were suffering with MS. I wanted to get an idea on how they coped with it. We swapped stories and spoke about how we all cope with MS, I found it very informative, welcoming and socially appealing to speak with like minded people who suffer with the same condition I do."  

When Simon was diagnosed with MS in the early 1990s, there wasn't the same amount of support as there is today. After suffering a relapse, Simon was able to return to work, however having been a plasterer all his life he didn't know if he would be able to return to that job.  

On being diagnosed and returning to work after a relapse, he said: "Thinking back now, all through the years I have had relapses but back then there was nothing like the help there is today. There wasn't The Kirkwood back then, or an MS nurse. All the hospital could say to me is I have MS, and it won't kill me, it'll just make me disabled.  

"It was a big moment in my life when I was diagnosed, the biggest thing was I had two young kids to support, and I wasn't earning money.  

"I am a very active person; I have looked after animals all my life and so to be diagnosed and not be able to do the things I love was difficult.  

"I stopped drinking and smoking and looked to be a bit healthier as I thought that might help. After 18 months I started to feel better. A person who knew me wanted to hire me to loan out rooms to people. At the time I wasn't sure because my right side of my body had been affected and I was struggling to write. He said to me as long as I understood what I wrote we'd be fine. I worked there for 12 months. After that another friend of mine wanted me to get back into plastering and so I went to work for him. I built my week up steadily and eventually I was back to 95%."  

Simon worked as a plasterer right up until his last relapse four years ago. Sadly, Simon hasn't been able to return to work, however he is coping with his MS despite still facing challenges with it.  

He added: "I made an appointment at the doctors and they said I should go see my MS nurse. I asked what one of them was and that's when I was able to meet with one. I then came along to one of The Kirkwood's sessions."  

Since Simon has started to access The Kirkwood's services he has learnt much more about the charity, he is impressed with how The Kirkwood has re-branded itself to being more than just a building and hospice.  

He said: "I didn't know much about The Kirkwood and all the services they offer. I was surprised to find out how much help The Kirkwood could be, whether it was the MS sessions they run, the online services or financial advice.   

"I've asked Mary during the my sessions what other things The Kirkwood do and I'd like to see these advertised a bit more. The more people know about these different services the better.  

"I've been really impressed with The Kirkwood's re-brand. I have a friend who still calls it a hospice and I keep telling him it's much more than that and that's why they call it The Kirkwood.  

"The Kirkwood for me is so important and it's a brilliant service that helps people across Kirklees.  

"I love the sessions that Mary and her team put on and I think that when things open up fully more people will come along to them."  

Everyone at The Kirkwood would like to thank Simon for sharing his story.