WHEN Chris Moran was diagnosed with MS decades of unexplained symptoms suddenly made sense.

For 35 years she had been plagued with health problems which led her to alcoholism and to the brink of self-destruction.

In some ways the diagnosis came as a welcome relief after many years in which doctors told her she was suffering from stress and anxiety – but it also took away her independence and brought the unwelcome knowledge that she would only get worse.

She credits poetry with saving her as she came to terms with the neurological condition, and now a book of her work – Dancing in the Rain – has been published, with all the proceeds going to the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

Chris, who lives in Guiseley with her husband John, had sought medical help for decades for a series of symptoms including numbness and tingling and the loss of the use of her legs for five months.

The mother of three grown-up children, who also has five young grandchildren, said: “I didn’t receive a diagnosis until three years ago. I harboured anger at the medical professional for years because they didn’t diagnose me.”

Her symptoms continued and as she began to accept the diagnosis of anxiety she found herself suffering from panic attacks. She started drinking brandy to calm herself down and before long she was in the grip of alcoholism.

With the help of Alcoholics Anonymous she managed to overcome her addiction and has not had a drink for 13 years – but her strange symptoms continued.

The diagnosis finally came when she started to fall over because of problems with her foot and her leg began to drag. She saw a neurologist privately and was given an MRI scan and a lumbar puncture.

“I then went to see a specialist who said this is definitely MS without a doubt and you have had it for 35 years,” she added.

Now her right side is affected and she relies on aids to help her walk, as well as a wheelchair and a scooter.

She said: “When I got diagnosed suddenly this need to express my feelings burst forth and I found myself writing poetry.”

Her work is now available in book form after she was approached by a publisher who had been reading her blog.

“When I got my diagnosis I went into a slump. I thought life was over. But life isn’t over – it is just different,” she said.

“Some days I get very, very angry and think this isn’t fair. But life isn’t fair, and you just have to accept that.”

She stressed: “What has come out of adversity is amazing. I have got this book and I have got an appreciation of nature. There are so many positives.”

Her book Dancing in the Rain is available from Amazon for £4.99.