21/04/2026
It’s MS Awareness Week and this is something very close to my heart.
This is one of my best friends, Sarah - we worked together as Bluecoats many moons ago, and 20+ years on we're godparents to each other’s children, and constant supporters of each other’s lives from opposite ends of the country (she’s in Preston, Lancashire with her husband Rob and their 4 children).
Last January, Sarah was diagnosed with progressive MS at just 39 years old.
Like many people, there were small signs in the background, but things changed quickly and the condition progressed far faster than anyone expected.
Within a year, Sarah went from running her own floristry business and being constantly on the go with her kids, to relying on walking aids, needing support from her husband, and carefully planning even day-to-day life around hospital visits, treatment, and managing symptoms.
Life changed overnight.
It was at this point her critical illness policy with Aviva became invaluable.
Following confirmation of her diagnosis, a £20,000 payout was made, giving her and her family financial breathing space at a time when they desperately needed it to help with day-to-day costs, travel to appointments, and easing the pressure while she adapts to a very different reality.
Nothing can take away the impact of a diagnosis like this, but it really highlights something important.
We don’t expect serious illness in our 30s or 40s - especially when we’ve got young families, mortgages, and busy lives - but it absolutely can and does happen.
I don’t share this to be dramatic, but to give a real-life reminder. We all assume “it won’t happen to us”… until it does.
If illness stopped your income tomorrow, what would your financial plan look like?
If you’d ever like a no-obligation chat about putting protection in place, I’m always happy to help - when you are fighting for the life that you knew and your health the last thing you want is to have to worry about is the roof over your head.
If you want to find out more about Sarah's story follow her and learn more about the real life implications of living with MS.
