WHEN thrill-seeking Tim Worner was diagnosed with MS in his late 30s, he was devastated.

But today he refuses to let his condition stop him living life to the full and he has spoken out about his experiences ahead of the biggest MS lifestyle event in Europe this weekend.

The 51-year-old, said: “I’m determined to keep trying new things and never stop challenging myself.”

Tim, who lives in Broadstone, with his wife Shirley, was working as a supermarket manager when he first started experiencing symptoms of MS including trouble walking.

After a year of GP visits, inconclusive tests and a second opinion from a London neurologist, Tim was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 2001.

Tim said he was devastated at the news but now he is focused on staying positive. He said: “I have numbness in my fingers and my mobility is severely affected by I’ve been getting on with things the best I can.

“I use crutches and a mobility scooter for when I want further distances. MS is very unpredictable and my fatigue can make it difficult to make plans during the day.”

There are more than 100,000 people living with MS in the UK. People typically start experiencing symptoms in their 20s and 30s which can include fatigue, sight loss, incontinence and disability.

As the former chairman of the Bournemouth and District branch of the MS Society, Tim travelled around the country encouraging people with MS to keep active.

Now he hopes to share his passion for trying new things, which hasn’t wavered throughout his journey with MS. He said: “It’s so important to get out in the fresh air and feel like you’re doing something productive.

“Keeping active is great for me physically and mentally.

“Before I was diagnosed I was really into motorbikes, which I thought I could never ride again. But there’s something out there for everyone, no matter your ability. I do a lot of activities with Sportability and Sailability as well as rifle and clay shooting. I recently rode a 650cc Suzuki on a private track, and last month, my wife and I explored Alaska together.”

MS Life, a free event at the ExCeL centre in London is organised by the MS Society and features interactive workshops and talks from some of the world’s leading MS researchers, celebrities and chefs.

For information go to mssociety.org.uk/mslife