"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them"
The dates on the links below are when the updates to my autobiography / health diary
were completed. The updates usually cover the time period since the previous one.
There is overlap in what I wrote, as the health diary updates were originally written
for a different site than this one. There are some specific topics which are named
rather than dated, and these have been put in approximately when I was doing them
/ they occurred.
Sylvie —–––––– >
Now forever flying freely
whilst roaring loudly for all to hear.
Editor’s Memory
Sylvie promoting
her book at
every opportunity.
Available as a paperback & e-book online & at / through most bookstores.
SYLVIE
WRIGHT
REMEMBERED
1
I met Sylvia in around 1999 in Upperthorpe while she was quite active but battling
early stages of MS. Over the next few years, I was always happy to bump into her.
Once I took her to a Russian Circus Tent in a local park and her chair was almost
stuck in the wet turf. I followed her story from getting married to having a son.
A while later I was leafletting her street for the local election and knocked on
her door to chat. At the time her helper hadn't shown up and Marcus needed a nappy
change. I volunteered and it was a great shared moment. For the past 16 years I have
been living in Canada and appreciate hearing from all Sheffield friends. Sylvia was
pretty, fun and always positive. Very special to me. Barry
She was truly inspirational. David Gotteri
Have fond memories of her at Hallam School. Mayuri Savani
Sylvia was a trooper from start to finish. She was a legend of MSRC and New Pathways,
being such an inspiration to so many. Helen Yates
My first encounter of Sylvie was reading about her skydiving exploits in New Pathways,
the MS specialist magazine produced by the charity Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre. I
had recently been officially diagnosed with MS and reading about Sylvie's adventures
was really inspiring to me, it showed me that I could have a diagnosis and carry-on
living life! MSRC then started their online chat room and I got to message with Sylvie.
She was only four years younger than me but we both had the same attitude towards
MS and that bonded our friendship. We swapped phone numbers and although our calls
weren't necessarily regular, we'd always pick it up where we left off!
We actually got to meet in person at the receptions that MSRC held for their London
Marathon runners. It was great to meet face to face and of course meet the fabulous
Steve as well. Then against all odds Sylvie became pregnant and as I already had
my two kids, I got to share my experiences with her. I do remember Sylvie messaging
me and saying 'How do you manage to avoid catching every cold the little darlings
bring home from school?!' Unfortunately, I didn't have a magic bullet for that, but
Sylvie knew I was always there to lend an empathizing ear.
Over the years we both did various fundraising stunts for MSRC and always contributed
to each other's sponsorship! After the pandemic I could no longer weight bear and
so I decided to fundraise for myself this time and needed over £6,000 for a standing
frame. Sylvie amazed me yet again by donating a massive £1000 which meant I could
get the frame which I now use regularly and I think of Sylvie every time I use it.
We then had more shared experience in that we both have trans-daughters and similarly
we just want our children to be happy regardless of gender. We had our own mutual
appreciation society going on as I would end our telephone calls telling Sylvie how
much she inspired me and she would say the same back to me! We are definitely kindred
spirits and I miss Sylvie every day x
Sylvie has always been a huge inspiration to me and the world will be a sadder place
without her. She can now be reunited with Steve without her earthly restrictions.
Jay
Sylvia was a very special lady. Julia Lythaby
There are some I have never met who I will never forget. I will never forget Sylvia.
Mike Deegan
I have so many happy memories of adventures and fun with Sylvia when we were kids,
xx Lyndsay Pyrah
Although it's more than 20 years ago since I last saw Sylvia, I'll always remember
the good times that we had, but also the long talks about life. Annemie Verwilt
She was such a warrior. Mandy Dawber
Sylvie meant a lot to me. Robert Smith
Sylvia was a warrior. An inspiration. Catriona McDiarmid
Sylvie was a true inspiration. - a light has gone out in the world. Sylvie was a
force of nature and a truly lovely person. Kristen Brown
She is leaving a huge hole. Doesn’t feel quite the same world. Growing up, the den
in her back garden which was our club HQ, running in the back field, shows in my
garage acting out Bernard Cribbins tunes to very small audiences. Dressing up and
acting out stories, being a detective with Lindsay looking very suspicious, on the
corner of the street. Making the cats Jim and Midge sing and then putting it to music.
That she finished one cross country race wearing only 1 shoe.
Elizabeth Horrocks
This is a collation of some of the messages we have received since Sylvie passed
on the 2nd March, thank you for all these and all the others that have been sent,
they are all appreciated in the fullest. An additional page of remembrances and stories
will be added sometime later.
I will miss her and her incredible jokes. She was a person who I admired a lot for
her strength, her will to fight on, even though life could be hard and demand a lot
of her. She kept on with her projects and even gave out a book. She was the first
person I got know back in Freiburg, and she stayed in my life since the first cup
of English tea at my room. When I visited her, she woke me up with a nice cup of
tea with milk. I never had a boring moment with her and I loved our interesting conversations
and her jokes. I will always remember her with love.
Ann-Cathrin Bergli
I am a little in shock to hear this very sad news. I am so grateful to have met Sylvie
so many years ago on the internet. I found Sylvie through her website and the MSRC
back when I was diagnosed in 2002. Her strength, wisdom, humour, honesty and determination
inspired me and gave me hope. Since then, I have stayed in touch through email.
I was pregnant with my only child around the same time as Sylvie. My daughter was
19 last month.
I know for a fact that if I had never heard Sylvie's stories and adventures down
through the years, I would have never done so well with dealing with my MS.
My MS started with optic neuritis and I get challenging periods with fatigue, pain
and eye issues and slowed cognition and low mood but I have little permanent disability.
The fatigue with MS can be frustrating but nothing compared to the challenges Sylvie
had especially in recent years. She fought hard but also played hard in earlier days
where she had great adventures with Steve. All her adventures in Florida and trips
to places near and far and fundraisers hand gliding and jumping out of planes. She
tried it all when she could and made the best of it.
I thank you for all the updates in recent years when you brought Sylvie to hospital
and sent me and her other friends updates on her health. The next few days I hope
to open Sylvie's website on my big computer monitor and read through her life and
remember her good times and I will toast a glass of wine to her tonight remembering
a strong lady who was an incredible inspiration to me and many, many others with
MS worldwide. Remember the good times, the laughs, the adventures and look after
yereselves xx
Edwina Murphy
She was a wonderful person with an amazingly positive attitude to life in spite of
all her difficulties. Hilary and Bob Hall
Sorry to hear this news even though this wasn't unexpected, I do not believe in death,
as she is properly having a good time now celebrating what was a very challenging
life, her crowning achievement was having a child…… a wonderful child. Charlie Gee
Sylvia put up a great struggle with what is a horrible illness - and we can only
admire what she managed to accomplish in those years. Margaret and Dave Hill
I always admired Sylvia enormously for the way she coped with her MS.
Veronica Hardstaff
Sylvia's blog was inspirational and attitude to life with MS exemplary. Martin Payne
In spite of her long-term illness, I know that she kept on with her creative activities
and will have left her mark. Dave Parry
It must be quite a long time since we saw Sylvia, but I've always had the impression
that she battled her awful illness both resolutely and cheerfully. I have a clear
memory of talking with her after your father's funeral and although I understood
she wasn't at all well at the time, she spoke brightly and was also concerned to
know how our son, Jonathan, was keeping, since she knew he had Cystic Fibrosis -
but how much less of an illness that has been than her MS. That she was able to continue
battling for so many years must in some measure be due to the help and care you gave
her for so long.
Angela (and Adrian) Lepper
We didn't see Sylvia often, but we always admired her fighting spirit and courage.
Her spirit of adventure, with which she conquered Mount Snowdon and a parachute jump,
is unforgettable for us. We will keep her in the very best memories.
Meinhard Saremba and Beate Koltzenburg
We spent many enjoyable hours and a thrilling small plane ride with Sylvie and Steve.
I am broken hearted about this, but I know she must have been suffering mentally
and physically, as we were shocked to learn of Steve's death on one of her postings.
Debbie Frazier
Sylvie fought long and hard against this brutal disease. I would like to picture
her and Daniel dancing upright together, looking down on us! Sharon Buchbaum
(Daniel’s widow)
Sylvia was one of the strongest and most positive people I have ever met. Gabriella
Sylvia always wrote so eloquently and beautifully. She wrote with so much expression
and her writing was incredibly engaging. No words can convey the deep sadness with
which I write this email. But Sylvia would have known just the right words.
I have been reflecting on my memories of Sylvia. I remember one occasion when Sylvia
and I went rock climbing with one of dear Dennis’s research assistants who was an
expert climber. Sylvia went up the rock face over 20 m high like a spider. She was
fearless and brave. She looked up to the sky with joy as she went up. Then she abseiled
down like she was flying. I only went up one meter and screamed and had to be lowered
down. We all laughed so much on that day. She had the ability to fill those around
her with joy and enriched their lives. I was very fortunate to have known her, she
was brave, ambitious and kind. Maria Toner
I lost a close childhood (and adulthood) friend Sylvia Wright yesterday, and the
world lost a very bright light. There's nothing good about her being gone, so I'm
not going to write about that. There were many, many, good things about her 50-and-a-half
years here, though. Too many to mention, but a few in summary here...
Sylvia and I sat together in German classes, and quickly found a bond around our
love of language, our quirky humour, and of course our interest in boys. We lost
touch for a while when we went to uni, but when I came back to Sheffield I saw an
article in the local paper about her and tracked her down. She had recently been
diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and, being Sylvia, had decided that the best way
to deal with it was to do a skydive, as a fundraiser and to raise awareness.
She kept her mobility for a while but, having the progressive type of MS, that gradually
and steadily started to deteriorate. I've been alongside much of her journey since;
in person when I could, but sadly often from afar.
Never have I known such an incredibly resilient, fiercely alive, and utterly determined
person in my life. Both in her own battles, and in her commitment to contributing
to better understanding, awareness, and treatment of MS. Heartbreakingly, it was
one of the many infections she has endured that finally took her, leaving behind
her amazing brother and devoted carer, Matthew, her daughter Emerald, and a network
of friends around the world.
There's so much more I could say, but instead here are a few highlights:
1. Being her 'maid of honour' at her wedding, including a mad dash down Langsett
Road in Sheffield, with me running after her on her mobility scooter because we were
almost late.
2. Our Friday curry nights at The Balti King in Broomhill, throughout the years I
was back there and she was still able to get out and about.
3. Spending time with her and Steve in Florida, as part of my PhD research, but also
as a really lovely break away with good friends during a very tough time in my life.
4. Creating an indoor fireworks display (sort of safely) when she couldn't get out,
and deciding it was much better anyway.
5. Spending Christmas day with her and her family, one year when I was otherwise
going to have to spend it alone. And feeling like I was with family after all.
6. Hearing her endless supply of new riddles and word plays, always clever and always
funny, when she needed to keep that dazzling brain busy while bedbound.
7. Reading her wonderful book. I recommend it, and I'm so glad it's part of her legacy:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1399922815/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid =&sr=
8. Being told off, repeatedly, when I visited her and didn't fully understand what
she was asking me to do for her.
There's always regret at a time like this, and mine is that I didn't get back to
Sheffield to see her recently. Despite the risks every time she got an infection,
I let myself believe that she'd just always bounce back in true Sylvia style.
In addition to her book, you can learn more about her inspirational life and legacy
here: https://www.livingwithms.co.uk/index.html (Yes, this site; editor)
Rest well now Sylvia, I'm going to miss you. Xxx. The world has lost a true force
of nature today. She's been such a fighter for so long, and such an inspiration.
Jacqui Wilmshurst Cowley
< —Wheelchair Modelling
Police posing with
Celebrity —>
< —–––––-
Alien posing with Celebrity
Editor’s Question
Which is the Alien?
As instructed
—––––—>
Taking a seat
in the
waiting room.
My first impression of Sylvia was, this girl is going to listen to only herself.
When a friend of mine was diagnosed with MS, I went on line looking up, "Living with
MS" and Sylvia's name came up first. I read everything she wrote, sent her an e-mail
thanking her for her information about MS and much to my surprise, she wrote back
to me. I didn't expect that... and that's how it all started with her, several e-mails
over what feels like a long time and then I had several days off on a tour I was
working on and I was in Florida so I wrote to her thinking maybe she would be at
their place in the Florida Keys and she was there and invited me down to meet her.
I rented a car and was at her place the next day. I thought maybe my time there would
just be a couple days... I was there 8 days and enjoyed every minute of that time
with her and her family. Truly that was the best time of that year.
After I actually met her face to face in Florida my impression right away was all
things considered this is probably the strongest woman I have ever met and even years
later when I know she's had some serious limitations, I still had that same impression
of her.
I can say as I’ve always said, I was blessed with meeting and talking with her about
all kinds of things. And then there was phone calls from her, made it even better.
R J Burns
