MS My Way: Recent Episodes
Rachael Tomlinson
🛑 Content Warning: Online Abuse, Ableism, Disability SlursThis video contains references to ableist language, online hate, and the failure of systems to protect disabled people. Please take care while watching.🎙️ This is a spoken word piece from my podcast Wheelie MS Advocate. It’s about what it feels like to live through constant digital ableism, on TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and beyond.📍 Despite reporting the hate to the police, I was told nothing could be done. Why? Because the people abusing me aren’t in the UK.💬 But the abuse still landed here. On my screen. In my body. In my life.🧠 We are disabled — not stupid.We’ve had careers, built lives, and we still work — even when it breaks us.We don’t need more “coping tips.”We need protection. Real, global, legal protection.✊🏽 Stop calling us strong if you won’t stand with us.—🔗 Read the full blog post:👉 Wheelie MS Advocate📲 Follow me:TikTok: @wheelieMSadvocate_X/Twitter: @wheelieFUMSInstagram: @wheelieMSadvocate📧 Want to work with me or support my content?Visit: About me#DisabilityAdvocate #Ableism #HateCrime #OnlineAbuse #WheelieMSAdvocate #DisabledAndProud #AmbulatoryWheelchairUser #SpokenWord
“Disabled people are better off on benefits.”
That’s what the Daily Mail claims — again. But what’s the real cost of headlines like this?
In this solo episode of Wheelie MS Advocate, I share my lived experience as a disabled person on Universal Credit and PIP.
From public judgement to online abuse, from policy decisions to being labelled a “#SickFluencer,” this is what it really feels like to be the scapegoat in a political game.
🎧 Topics covered in this episode:
- How headlines fuel stigma and hate
- Why “sickfluencers” isn’t a term we chose
- The reality of living on PIP and UC
- GPs being told to send sick patients to the gym
- What real resistance looks like in a hostile system
🧠 If you’ve felt dehumanised, dismissed, or disbelieved — you’re not alone.
💬 Share your experience in the comments.
📢 And please like, subscribe, and share this episode to push back on the narrative.
👇 Resources and links:
🌐 Blog version: Wheeliemsadvocate.co.uk
📸 Follow me on Instagram: Wheeliemsadvocate
🧵 Join the conversation on X (Twitter): WheelieFUMS
DisabilityRights #PIP #UniversalCredit #SickFluencers #WelfareReform #ChronicIllness #WheelchairUser #HateCrime #MSAwareness #DisabledVoices
The moment you’re diagnosed with MS is life-changing, and the emotional impact isn’t talked about enough.
I’ve written about what it feels like to process that news, and why taking time is not just okay, it’s essential.
💬 Blog post: MS Diagnosis Support: Why You Deserve Time to Process
Whether you’re ready to talk or still figuring things out, support after an MS diagnosis should always start with compassion.
🧠 Read more → Blog Post
MSDiagnosisSupport #ProcessingMSDiagnosis #LivingWithMS #MSMentalHealth #ChronicIllnessSupport
In this episode of Wheelie MS Advocate, host Rachael delves into the frustrating reality of accessibility failures at government events intended to include the voices of people with disabilities. Featuring guest Lee, who shares his firsthand experience of being shut out at a Department for Work and Pensions consultation event in Newcastle. They discuss the systemic issues that lead to such exclusion, from inaccessible venue design to the lack of proper consultation with disabled people. The conversation highlights the broader societal neglect and the urgent need for genuine inclusion and actionable change.
MS Conversations
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects over 150,000 people in the UK, and yet, it’s still so widely misunderstood. That’s why MS Awareness Week 2025 (April 28 – May 4) is more important than ever.
Assist us to live before you assist us to die.
A powerful argument exists against safely legalising assisted suicide in a capitalist society that values individuals based on their profit potential or cost-saving capabilities.
Hospice care receives only 30% of its funding from public sources and faces annual shortfalls of £80 million.
The growing older population and the rise in chronic health conditions underscore the necessity for publicly funded hospice and palliative care services. Such provisions would be advantageous, particularly in enhancing pain management strategies, especially given the recent trend of withdrawing essential medications from individuals who rely on them.
The term ambulant wheelchair user refers to individuals who are disabled and use wheelchairs but are capable of walking in some circumstances. I am one of these individuals.
Happy 75th Birthday #NHS - Please sign https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/only-the-nhs-public-letter?notme=1
On the 25th of May, the Jeremy Vine show on 5 shared a tweet as a prelude to the following day's show. Which Jeremy Vine went on to present the following day. After calling him out in the last video, he replied. The disabled community still demands an apology.
Please like, share and comment, you can also find me on social media Instagram: @accessible_rach @my_living_with_ms Tiktok: @mylivingwithms Twitter: @YorksSocialist Facebook Group: My Living With MS and Facebook page @accessiblerach.
Hear disabled people respond to Jeremy Vine and his invited guests to talk about a Telegraph article headlined "Is it time to crack down on jobless benefits?"
Please like, share and comment, you can also find me on social media Instagram: @accessible_rach @my_living_with_ms Tiktok: @mylivingwithms Twitter: @YorksSocialist Facebook Group: My Living With MS and Facebook page @accessiblerach. Thank you for watching.
On Thursday 25th May 2023 Jeremy Vine invited guests to talk about a Telegraph article headlined "Is it time to crack down on jobless benefits?"
Please like, share and comment, you can also find me on social media Instagram: @accessible_rach @my_living_with_ms Tiktok: @mylivingwithms Twitter: @YorksSocialist Facebook Group: My Living With MS and Facebook page @accessiblerach. Thank you for watching.
In 2023, disabled people continue to face unfair extra costs. The higher cost of specialist equipment, higher usage of everyday essentials and energy, and an inadequate welfare system, are all making it harder for disabled households to meet the extra cost of disability. Please like, share and comment, you can also find me on social media Instagram: @accessible_rach @my_living_with_ms Tiktok: @mylivingwithms Twitter: @YorksSocialist Facebook Group: My Living With MS and Facebook page @accessiblerach. Thank you for watching.
"No two people with MS have the same symptoms". Those were the words that rang in my ears in light of my initial diagnosis with multiple sclerosis.The MS Charities have joined together to ask #MSMakesMe - #MSMakesMeProud
This week's podcast is about teeth and MS.
Spoiler alert. Bet you didn’t realise these are dentures?
My teethwere a mess with a broken crown at the front, which meant I was nervous aboutopening my mouth. There were crowns on 3 of my teeth and gaps where I hadothers removed.
Please chat to me on Facebook Accessible Rach, Instagram @mylivingwithms and Twitter @YorksSocialist
Recently, I received an invitation to be a panellist on a webinar sharing my lived experience of the changing symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Please share your experiences with changing symptoms on Instagram @my_living_with_ms, leave me a comment and please follow.
In January 2022, Molly Mae stated, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. I'm here to tell you we don't. Please let me know your thoughts and what your 24 hours in a day looks like. Follow on Instagram @my_living_with_ms and YouTube
At the start of a new season, it was my great pleasure to chat Co-production with Jess Mansel, who is a Senior Engagement Manager at the MS Society.
If you would like to get involved with Co-production at the MS Society, please follow the Link.
There are two sides to every story, it seems, let me share mine. You can also find me on Facebook and Linkedin @accessiblerach - Instagram @accessible_rach and Tiktok @yorkssocialist
How mobility aids allow me to keep my independance You can also find me on Twitter/Facebook and Linkedin @accessiblerach - Instagram @accessible_rach and Tiktok @socialistrachrants
Welcome to me picking up the pieces.
You can also find me on Twitter/Facebook and Linkedin @accessiblerach - Instagram @accessible_rach and Tiktok @socialistrach.
*Trigger warning - talk of mental health - This episode was written last year and has been updated and can be read at accessiblerach.co.uk
This episode was written last year and has been updated and can be read at accessiblerach.co.uk
I wrote this post last year in recognition of Endometriosis Awareness Month, you can find the written version at accessiblerach.co.uk
Trigger warning This post is in recognition of sexual abuse and sexual violence awareness week 2021, read also at accessiblerach.co.uk
Today's chat is about how people who I thought were friends started their own chat group can also be found at accessible.co.uk
Today's blog is about how I don't feel like I fit in. It is also published at accessiblerach.co.uk
In October last year, I wrote a post about the increasing amount of Amazon sellers who are offering their items for free for review - the original post can be found using the search bar at accessiblerach.co.uk
This podcast is to accompany the blog post of the same name which can be found at accessiblerach.co.uk.
This reading was first shared as a blog post on accessiblerach.com at the start of the first lockdown
This week's podcast is to accompany the blog post of the same name and can be found at accessiblerach.com
This was first produced as a caption on Instagram - Things You Shouldn't Say to Someone with MS/Chronic Illness. You can find me on Instagram @accessible_rach
The first lockdown made me realise a few things about myself - you can find the blog post at accessiblerach.com
This reading is part of the blog post on accessiblerach.com titled "What can tip you over the edge."
As we come to the end domestic violence awareness month, I wanted to share with you a blog tour I took part in earlier this year.
MS Let's Chat started with a group of people with MS who came together to chat via zoom during the lockdown.