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MSMS: The Many Stories of Multiple Sclerosis
We’ve recently updated our podcast cover — same show, new look!
Welcome to MSMS: The Many Stories of Multiple Sclerosis
Here, you'll hear real stories from real people—Australians and occasionally others from around the world—sharing their experiences of life with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
The podcast began with Colleen's hope to build greater understanding of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT), by spotlighting the stories of Australians living with MS who had undergone this intense and often misunderstood procedure.
What started as a focus on HSCT has since grown to include a range of conversations relevant to Australians living with MS—honest, heartfelt stories that speak to the reality of this progressive disease.
By sharing our experiences, we support one another, reduce the isolation that so often comes with MS, and foster a sense of community—while also raising much-needed awareness.
The first series of MSMS centres on HSCT—the decision-making process, the challenges faced, and the individual outcomes that follow.
In Episode One, you’ll meet your host Colleen and her husband Kel, as they take you on their extraordinary journey to Moscow, Russia. It was there, just 5 years married and desperate to stop the rapid progression of her MS, that Colleen underwent HSCT.
What followed was an ordeal of unexpected challenges—physical, emotional, and logistical. Through it all, Colleen the patient, and Kel her steadfast champion.
Their story has been shared in Australian newspapers, radio and TV—but here, in their own words, Colleen and Kel share even more of their remarkable story, behind the headlines.
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Disclaimer:
This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the host or guest(s).
No story told, view expressed or opinion voiced, written or otherwise shared in any episode of this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, including when related in an episode as a professional opinion or professional advice given.
Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
Content Warning:
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable condition and the conversations and stories in all episodes of this podcast will contain reference to MS symptoms as well as situations experienced before, during or after HSCT - some of which may be disturbing or upsetting for some. In Australia https://beyondblue.org.au and Lifeline on 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au are organisations which provide assistance - do please look after yourself.
MSMS: The Many Stories of Multiple Sclerosis
With gratitude, and wishes - reflecting on 2025
Colleen reflects on a year of MS stories and shares gentle holiday wishes with an invite to future MS storytellers from across Australia to join the conversation.
Email msmspodcast at proton.me
You can join Colleen and other Australians living with MS in this podcast's Facebook group which was originally created to support those interested in HSCT and now exists to facilitate discussion on all issues relevant to MS.
Multiple Sclerosis and HSCT Australia - Facebook group
PS: I'd appreciate your donation to help in maintaining this podcast - if you could buy me a coffee or two please (donate $5, it's not real coffee! thank you!) - Colleen
Buy Colleen a Coffee - thank you!
Disclaimer:
This podcast is not intended to replace professional medical advice.
The views expressed in episodes of this podcast are those of the host or guest(s) and are not intended to replace professional medical advice.
No story told, view expressed or opinion voiced, written or otherwise shared in any episode of this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, including when related in an episode as a professional opinion or professional advice given.
Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
Content Warning:
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable condition and the conversations and stories in all episodes of this podcast will contain reference to MS symptoms as well as situa...
Hello and welcome back to MSMS, the many stories of multiple sclerosis. I'm Colleen, your host. And as we wind down this year, 2025, I wanted to do just a bit of reflection. When I started this podcast, I imagined it as a place where where real people living with MS could speak in their own voice about the grief, the humour, courage, fear, the frustration and the hope, all of those ordinary, extraordinary things that make up life with MS. And quite honestly, what a year what a year it's been. We've we've heard stories, so many stories of resilience and uncertainty and um reinvention, but above all, I think humanity. And I've been honored, look, quite honestly, and I'm I'm not trying to sound oh I don't know, whatever the word is, but you know what I mean, I think. Um I've been honored by every single person who allowed me to press record because they trusted that their voice mattered and that their experience might help someone else. And just to know that others understand, to help people know that we're all out here living with MS, it's just so important. Our stories matter, they really do. But I also want to acknowledge something else, and I'm being really honest, it hasn't been easy to find people willing or ready to share their stories, and and that's okay. And it's not because people don't have stories, I mean heavens, we we do, we all have our story, but because telling those stories out loud it feels well, we're vulnerable, we feel vulnerable, and it's exhausting, and it's just I don't know what the word is, it's just really hard to extract those stories for us to do that. Any of us, it's hard. And life, life itself just gets in the way, and that does include my own life. Oh dear. As your host, I live with MS2, sorry, and I'm only oduring because it's difficult for me to say. Um, but now my limitations aren't dramatic, mostly they come down to my energy and just the realities of my day-to-day, week-to-week things that I do, my regular physio and community involvement, and just trying to keep moving and to stay engaged, because I want to be, and to stay healthy, of course, and sometimes just keeping my own mind calm. And I'm not saying this for sympathy, not at all, um just to acknowledge that creating a podcast by people with MS for people with MS means that everyone involved is juggling their own invisible load. So if MSMS episodes came out slowly this year, that is the reason. Um we're a community of people trying our best on the the days and the times that we can in the ways that we can. And well I think there's something kind of well beautiful about that. And as we head into this festive season, I want to offer something to you, not advice, just some thoughts and some gentle wishes. Um I hope that you find moments of rest in between all the busy the busy of your life. I hope that your body moves in in ways that feel good for you. I hope that you feel surrounded, even if physically you're not. I hope that you remember that you are part of a community, a a national Australian patchwork of people, definitely, living with MS, who understand, who care, and who know the courage that it takes to keep moving forward. And of course, if you've been thinking about sharing a story of MS, or if you know somebody who might be ready in the new year, I'd love to hear about that. I'd love to know those people, and if you want to get in touch, please email. Because your voice does matter, your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear. And you can reach me anytime to let me know that you'd like to share your story. Just email msmspodcast at proton.me. That email address is in the show notes. That's about it. Thank you so much. Thank you for listening, thank you for supporting each other and for just being there, because just being there, you're part of this. You're part of this this project, I guess, where honesty, empathy, and lived experience are sat. They're sitting there front and center. So wherever you are, thank you. And this holiday season, please take care, stay safe, and keep moving gently forward. I'm Colleen, and this is MSMS. I'll see you in the new year. Thank you so much. All for now.