When Emma’s legs suddenly gave way as she was pushing her baby daughter in a pram, she knew something wasn’t right. What followed was years of unexplained symptoms, uncertainty and, eventually, a life-changing diagnosis.
Emma Connolley has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and has recently benefited from a course of aromatherapy sessions at our Morecambe Centre with CancerCare therapist Teresa.
Emma, 41, first began experiencing symptoms two decades ago, shortly after the birth of her daughter when she was 23. However, she was not diagnosed until 2021.
“I was walking my daughter in her pushchair when my legs suddenly gave way,” Emma recalled. “After that, I continued to experience intense numbness and pins and needles, as well as brain fog and fatigue. At first, I thought it might be ME, but when I went to the doctor, I was told it was nothing to worry about.”
When Emma eventually received her diagnosis, it came as a shock.
“I’d started researching MS and wondered if that was what I had. Even so, I was in denial for a while after being diagnosed four years ago. It took time to accept that I’d been living with this since 2009; almost half my life.”
Now, Emma is focused on looking ahead and rebuilding her confidence. Attending CancerCare has been an important part of that journey.
She discovered that we offer services for people affected by MS when we announced our partnership with the MS Society Lancaster, Morecambe & Bay in June 2025. The society has generously funded the first six therapy sessions at CancerCare for clients who have been diagnosed with MS or know someone who has received a diagnosis.
After her weekly aromatherapy sessions, Emma says she “feels like she’s walking on air”. She has noticed a positive difference in her mood, overall wellbeing and even her physical symptoms.
“Teresa is compassionate, caring and one of a kind,” Emma said. “The sessions help me feel deeply relaxed. Because of my medication, I’ve struggled to fall asleep, but after aromatherapy, I sleep much better.
“I lead the session; I can choose whether to talk or simply relax in silence. With all the stress of daily life and managing my diagnosis, CancerCare has given me the space to do something just for me.”