November 24, 2025Interview

Leanne’s Story: Life With MS, Chronic Pain & Finding Confidence Through Cool Crutches

When we first came across Leanne on social media, we were instantly drawn to her wicked sense of style, her honesty, and her unshakable advocacy for disability awareness. Not only is she a passionate voice for the chronic illness community, but she’s also a long-time Cool Crutches customer, often seen rocking her Skull & Roses Crutches to perfectly match her bold, alternative fashion sense. We knew we had to learn more about her journey, from being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at just 33, to navigating chronic pain, finding confidence, and building a life that’s every bit as fierce as her style.

My Story

Hi, I’m Leanne, I’m 38 and I live in Northumberland with my husband. My favourite things to do are spending time with my grandson and watching horror movies and true crime documentaries, I’m a bit of a spooky soul at heart!

I was officially diagnosed with MS in 2020, but my symptoms started four years earlier in 2016. It began with optic neuritis in my right eye, double vision, and vertigo. After multiple tests and an MRI, doctors mentioned MS as a possibility, but my scan was clear, so I was sent away with a diagnosis of an inflamed nerve.

Fast forward to 2020, and everything suddenly worsened. Within two months, I experienced three relapses. The same eye pain, vertigo, and now facial numbness. My GP initially diagnosed an inner ear problem, then suspected a stroke when my gait became unsteady. I was admitted to hospital for a CT scan, which came back clear, and sent home again with a diagnosis of labyrinthitis.

Another week passed, and my symptoms were unbearable. My GP noticed my eyes shaking and sent me for an emergency MRI. Twenty minutes after leaving the hospital, I got the phone call confirming I had Multiple Sclerosis.

From that moment, my life completely changed. I was booked in to see a neurologist, who started me on Tysabri infusions every four weeks. After my first infusion, I lost sensation from the waist down and was told to ride it out, as I’d already had steroids previously. Because this all happened during COVID, I couldn’t access physiotherapy or face-to-face support, and my walking ability quickly deteriorated.

Finding Confidence With Mobility Aids

At first, the NHS didn’t offer me any mobility aids , just a few home adaptations like bathroom equipment. I bought a basic walking stick from Amazon and started using it, but it didn’t feel like me. I’d already lost a lot of confidence, and I hated how clinical and grey everything looked.

Then I came across Cool Crutches. Straight away, I knew I needed a spooky pair! I ordered the Skull & Roses design and later the Poison design, and honestly, I’ve never looked back. They gave me something I didn’t even know I’d lost — my confidence.

For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like I could express my personality again. My crutches made me feel stylish, supported, and strong. It’s such a simple thing, but it completely changed how I saw myself.

Living With MS Today

My MS affects me every single day. I live with constant fatigue and pain, but I manage it with prescribed medical cannabis from a private clinic, which has made a huge difference to my quality of life. Together with my crutches, it’s helped me come to terms with my diagnosis and find peace in this new version of myself.

Since my diagnosis, I’ve become medically retired because of MS and BPD, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped living. I love going for long drives with my husband into the countryside, spending time with family and friends, and learning to listen to my body. I’ve learned that it’s okay to rest, it’s okay to have bad days, and it’s okay to take things at my own pace.

Living in a World That Still Has Work To Do

I wish I could say society fully understands disability, but from my experience, it still has a long way to go. People often think my crutches are props or that I’m exaggerating my condition because they can’t see it. There’s still a lot of stigma and instant judgement, and I think a lot of that comes from how disability is portrayed in the media.

Things like blocked accessible toilets, lack of ramps, and poor awareness of invisible illnesses are everyday frustrations. I just wish more people understood that anyone can become disabled at any point in their life. We’re all pre-disabled. That perspective alone could change so much.

My Tips For Newly Disabled People

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that rest isn’t bad, it’s productive. I used to feel guilty for slowing down, but now I know that my body deserves care.

I’ve also discovered some amazing gadgets that make daily life easier, from adaptive openers to hands-free tools. I even created my social media to share my favourite finds and help others living with chronic illness and pain. If there’s a product that makes life easier, I’ll try it! Check out my Instagram here: thealtspoonie

Be kind to yourself. Some days will be tough, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re human.

What’s Next

These days, I’m focused on growing my social platforms and continuing to raise awareness around MS, chronic pain, mobility aids, and cannabis education. I want to keep building a community that’s supportive, honest, and hopeful, one that shows being disabled isn’t the end of your life; it’s just a different version of it.

I’m proud of who I’m becoming, and I’m proud of the life I’m building.

Leanne, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. Your courage, and honesty are an inspiration to so many of us!

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