Daniel Pinder was born deaf in November 1964 (he turns 50 this month) and was also diagnosed with epilepsy while young, neither of which stopped him from working as a rehabilitation officer.
In 2009, however, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. “Many years earlier I had briefly lost sight in my left eye and experienced different short term episodes until I originally thought I suffered a stroke. When the confirmation finally came in July 2009 that it was MS it came as a relief, because until then nobody could tell me what was really happening, Daniel said.
Daniel travels to Exeter to meet with his case manager, Jonathan from 7Families, to discuss returning to work and the options available to him to facilitate that process. A magnanimous man, Daniel wants to help those who, like him, suffer from hearing problems and multiple sclerosis – because, as Daniel says, “Life does not stop; Life continues.”
With the financial support of 7families, Daniel has been able to pay for HBO (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) — a treatment for multiple sclerosis that simulates an underwater pressure chamber. With the increased levels of oxygen in his blood from this treatment, he has increased feeling, mobility and a better quality of life.
As Daniel continues with his oxygen therapy sessions, we take a closer a look at MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and find out exactly how it affects someone.
Check out Daniel’s exciting new gadget, FES, that serves as a walking aid.
Daniel muses on the importance of being financially prepared for unexpected accidents and illness, and how thinking for our future today can have a large impact on our future tomorrow.
We accompany Daniel on one of his weekly Physiotherapy sessions to learn how it’s helping improve his strength and balance, giving him more functional use of his right leg.
We get the view on Daniel’s progress from his kids who are positive, proud, and secretly happy they no longer have to do all the hoovering.
Daniel has been updating his blog weekly in order to share his experiences of living with MS and act a source of support to others in similar situations.
As Daniel completes his time with the 7 Families project he looks back and reflects on the progress he has made, talking us through his time on the project and his hopes for the future after the project.
Daniel’s disability doesn’t stop him from helping others. Through involvement with a local charity, he’s keen to make sure other disabled people have access to the equipment they need to maintain their independence.
Ever wondered what might be the outcome if something happened that prevented you from working?..... A sudden accident or a serious health problem. Are you financially invincible? Take our quick test to see how #finvincible you really are! Take the 7 Families quiz on Facebook now.
