Phoebe's Story

Phoebe's Story

As soon as I get in the water, I feel weightless.

Phoebe was diagnosed with MS, depression and anxiety in 2020, but has been able to manage her conditions with the help of her miniature dachshund, Noodle.

Phoebe was rushed to A&E in 2020, and following a brain scan, was told she has MS. For a while after that, Phoebe felt like her life had come to a stop, and she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. But then she got Noodle, her dachshund puppy, and he changed her life “overnight”. Suddenly, Phoebe was motivated to get out of bed in the morning, put on her shoes, and head out for a walk because Noodle needed her.

My name is Phoebe, and my conditions are MS (Multiple Sclerosis), asthma, and depression and anxiety.

When I was first diagnosed with MS, I lost my eyesight temporarily. My legs can suddenly go. They can lock. It can feel like you've got lead weights chained to your ankles. I felt like a prisoner really. Physically but also in my own head. I didn't really have a reason to get up in the morning. I wasn't washing or exercising or moving. And then I got Noodle. He changed my life overnight and we would go out. We'd go for walks. And then we discovered the sea, the water changes everything for me.

As soon as I get in the water, I feel weightless. I became addicted to that feeling of, oh my gosh, look at me, I'm not only getting out of the house, I'm seeing all of these beautiful surroundings and I'm really appreciating life for what it is.

How Phoebe Gets Moving

At first, walking with Noodle was difficult, and Phoebe could only manage short walks. But, as her mental and physical health improved, short walks turned into longer walks, which turned into adventures and the opportunity to meet new people. As well as daily dog walks, Phoebe also loves swimming, and if Phoebe is swimming, so is Noodle. Phoebe says when she’s in the water, she feels like her condition “floats away” and that for her, exercising with Noodle has been a “complete game changer.”

Related Resources

Here are some resources related to Phoebe's story about moving more:

MS Society - Staying active

Rethink Mental Illness - Mental Illness and Being Active

Mind - Physical activity and your mental health

Mind Hub of Hope - search Physical Activity