— and Support in the Most Heartwarming Places
A story of loss, resilience, rediscovery, and the healing power of connection
When Shelley Lloyd first began noticing changes in her body and mind, she didn’t yet know that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was reshaping her life from the inside out. As a registered SAIPA accountant, Shelley was used to structure, precision, and meeting tight deadlines — so when familiar tasks suddenly felt difficult, she knew something wasn’t right.
What she didn’t know was that MS would take her through heartbreak, rebuilding, and an unexpected rediscovery of purpose.
When the Body Speaks Before Diagnosis
Before her diagnosis, Shelley considered herself high-strung and prone to stress — but what was happening now was different. She found herself missing deadlines, struggling to follow procedures she once knew instinctively, and feeling unsteady both physically and cognitively.
When the imbalance and slowed thinking spilled into her everyday life, she dismissed it as being unfit. But after a minor accident raised red flags, doctors ran further tests.
An MRI finally gave the answer: MS with multiple lesions.
It was the start of a difficult chapter.
A Life Uprooted — and the Courage to Begin Again
Shortly after her diagnosis, Shelley’s husband of 20 years left, and her children moved with him. Only her son, who stays with her every second week, remained a constant presence during this storm.
MS had begun affecting her mood and behaviour as well — lesions in her frontal cortex led to emotional instability and irrational reactions at times, adding strain to already fragile relationships.
She also lost her ability to work. Memory challenges, balance issues, severe fatigue, and leg spasms made it unsafe to drive and impossible to continue in her profession.
But this is not where Shelley’s story ends.
This is where her story of fighting back begins.
Finding Purpose Through Community, Care, and Compassion
Shelley refused to let MS take the meaning out of her life. With the support of her neurologist and occupational therapists — especially through the cognitive rehabilitation she received at Rehab Matters — she began rebuilding her daily functioning and emotional resilience.
And then came Honey.
“Adopting my Labrador, Honey, has given me a sense of purpose.”
Honey became a grounding presence: a companion, a motivator, and a source of unconditional love.
Shelley also found new purpose through volunteering with NGOs such as Top Dogs, participating in Park Runs, joining crochet groups, and saying yes to community projects that brought connection back into her world.
The Hermanus Camino — and Strangers Who Became Supporters
One of Shelley’s proudest achievements was completing the Hermanus Camino, an 85 km walk through breathtaking trails and coastal landscapes. It was not an easy journey, but it became a symbol of personal victory.
“With help from supportive strangers and friends, I completed the Hermanus Camino.”
Gym partners encouraged her to keep moving. Friends brought joy through theatre outings. And her community — from neighbours to fellow volunteers — kept reminding her that she wasn’t walking this MS journey alone.
Living With MS: Daily Realities and Lasting Strength
Shelley’s MS is currently in remission, but the damage done before treatment remains. She continues to manage long-term symptoms and undergo monthly infusions, including routine testing to monitor for side effects.
She feels the disease every day.
Yet she has chosen openness over silence.
“Disclosing my condition has made a significant difference. People are generally patient and understanding when I explain my limitations.”
She acknowledges the grief of losing friends along the way — but also celebrates the unexpected kindness of new acquaintances and strangers who stepped closer instead of stepping away.
“Living with MS has taught me resilience and the value of support. I’m deeply grateful to my doctors, therapists, family, and the many individuals who have helped along the way.”
A Reminder: Community Makes the Journey Easier
Shelley’s story echoes a powerful truth we continue to hear from people living with MS:
community changes everything.
Having someone to lean on — whether a therapist, a volunteer group, fellow MS warriors, or a loyal dog — makes the journey less overwhelming and far less lonely.
Her story is not only one of struggle, but of rediscovery, connection, and finding purpose in new places. Shelley’s strength lies not in avoiding hardship, but in how she continues to rebuild, reimagine, and reach out for life in new ways.
She is proof that even when MS takes much, it never takes everything — and with the right support, meaning can be found again.