About Us

Lyn and I were married for forty-seven years, and I was her carer for thirty of those years. This book is not intended to sanctify Lyn, nor to make myself look good for the help that I willingly and lovingly gave her, but as our story. It started life as a self-help book, maybe for someone newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and unsure about anything, or maybe for someone who is a carer and does not necessarily know much about this role. That is how it started but the process of writing has taken on a life of its own; it is now a cross between a self-help book, a biography and a love story…

Roger Hammond, Author

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Foreword from the book Lyn and Me

There have been many moving first-hand accounts written by individuals affected by debilitating disease, including that of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Indeed, these personal stories can provide helpful guidance for those with MS but equally, for those of us not affected, provide insight into the remarkable courage and resilience often exhibited. Rarely, however, do we find written accounts from the unaffected partner—the silent carer—whose life is also changed forever. 

This personal account, written by Roger Hammond,whose wife Lyn lived for many years with MS, addresses this gap. It is a deeply touching and poignant description of life from the partner’s perspective and is written in an easy conversational style with wonderful honesty and passion. Most important, it shows that, despite the increasing challenges they faced, a rewarding and fulfilling life can still be lived, underpinned by enduring love, deeply shared interests and great humour. 

Roger’s account also reveals his remarkable resolve in challenging the support system, and in making the most of the limited resources available. Of course, it is not without the inevitable lows and frustrations, but the overwhelming message is one of positivity. His informal and intimate style, from a rarely articulated perspective, is powerful; Roger writes openly about his experience, not in a self-indulgent way, but in an unpretentious and genial manner. It is a book that is both uplifting and valuable as a source of much-needed information for anyone finding themselves in a similar situation.

Professor John Greenwood

University College London