Name:

Ines Grau Torredemer

Country of residence:

Spain

Age:

24

Occupation:

Psychologist

Who is accompanying you on the Kilimanjaro climb?

I’m the only Spanish climber, but I will climb with Lori’s team.

When were you diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis?

When I was 17 years old.

How has your diagnosis affected your life?

It was hard and it has been difficult to understand that from now on, I will live with fear for my future, but it has also encouraged me in many ways.

What is your current level of physical disability (if any)?

None.

Please provide a history of your disease and how the disease is now affecting your life?

I was diagnosed because of a facial paralysis. I recovered from it and I began treatment with interferon. Since then I don’t have any physical problems related to the disease, but it has an important psychological factor. It’s difficult to wake up every day and check that your legs are responding correctly and your vision is OK. But my question always is: until when? It’s difficult to live with the anxiety of not knowing what or when this disease will activate again.

What are your current views/feelings of your life with Multiple Sclerosis?

Actually, I don’t regret being diagnosed with MS. It has offered me the chance of living my life in a different way and doing things (such as Kilimanjaro) that I would never have thought I could do. It has encouraged me and given me the strength to live my life intensively.

How have your relationships with your family/personal/friend relationships been affected by your diagnosis?

It has strengthened many of my relationships, as you learn who really cares about you.

What has motivated you to take part in the Kilimanjaro climb?

When I met Lori I loved her strength. Things in life happen for a reason and maybe my reason is to get strength from these kind of opportunities. I don’t want to regret having said no to an adventure like this. I think also that if we arrive at the top, it will be such a victory that it will give me strength and self esteem for many years.

What is your previous experience of hiking/climbing?

None.

What are your aspirations/hopes for the Kilimanjaro climb?

Through this climb, I want to feel that I can be stronger than I thought. I want to do something big.

What hopes/aspirations do you have planned following the Kilimanjaro climb?

Following the climb, I want to live my life the best I can, and explain to people with MS how they too can live with MS and feel good with it. I want to be able to fight for the many projects I have in mind, get a good job and never stop doing things.

Please highlight any other achievements you have made since your diagnosis

I haven’t done anything as important as climbing Kilimanjaro, but I have made many personal achievements such as accepting who I am.  

What would you say to other people who are living with MS?

I would say that life is short and we have the chance to live it. We don’t know what the future will bring so we can’t sit still waiting. We should take control of our future and make it OURS.