I read a while ago the haunting words spoken by a fellow MS sufferer, ‘nobody is coming to help’. Do you feel that way? How can we fix it?

This past week or more, I have been stubbornly phoning a helpline to remind them I’m due for my next treatment. When eventually they gave me a belated date, I wondered what would have happened if I hadn’t called.

So many people are still on a waiting list and have been for far too long. So many are stuck at home feeling abandoned. When the doctor returned my call earlier, I almost didn’t believe my phone was ringing because I had got the impression that my need was low down their list of priorities.

I can’t change the behaviour of pressurised medics and I can’t give you tricks to get bumped up the list. Sadly. But what I can advise is this: we are not doing triage when we encounter people we know, so we can make each individual our priority for the moments they are with us. If you have the time, be interruptible. Sit down and give the person in front of you your full attention. Learn to be an attentive listener. Try and put yourself in their shoes.

I know full well how our own situation can push everything else to the side. But try and remember that everyone feels like that too. The best doctors are the ones who take their eyes off their watch and give you their undivided attention. You can be the same way. No-one should feel they are on the clock when they are with you.

We can only say ‘you’re not alone’ if we are prepared to stand beside the person we are saying that to. ‘Standing beside’ doesn’t have to mean in a literal sense. It could be through sending a letter, picking up the phone or praying. Just make sure they know that you’re doing that for them. Unseen intentions don’t help anyone.

There will always be times when you feel left behind. For me, the only sure thing then is to remember the God who is ever present, who understands what you are going through, and who is strong enough to carry what you are bent over with right now. I frequently forget that, but when I remember, all my troubles feel lighter and I feel less alone. Then, I am not fighting by myself any more, because if we dare to believe, we are never by ourselves .