"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.
I've just opened Sylvia's memoirs, saw when I got my friend aka to sing happy birthday
to Sylvia and I've cried again cause I can't believe that she has gone, you know
that i loved Sylvia with all my heart, she was a strong and beautiful lady, I'm glad
she had a good send off, I will always think about Sylvia and you and Marcus forever,
beautiful memories.
Verni
I think I have lost count of the number of times people believed Sylvia to be my
sister, which wasn't helped by the fact our addresses were about 95% correlated and
our fathers worked in almost exactly the same place. That did rather confuse things.
I can remember her well and also her cat James/Jimmy often coming to visit. Many
years on I have also before read her book with enjoyment and certainly can see many
familiar names there including James the cat himself. I'll certainly look forward
to reading it again.
Tim Brown
I would like to note the passing of Sylvie Wright in March 2024 after many years
of struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.
I first met Sylvie while waiting for my partner in a corridor of the Hallamshire
Hospital. She immediately began to regale me with jokes and riddles, of which she
was the ‘Mistress’. I think I knew then that I would never escape…
Please take the time to look at the book of her life. Like I did whilst working on
it, you will find yourself laughing, moved and inspired by the turn of each page.
The strength of her struggle against this exhausting disease cannot be over-estimated.
I am proud to have been even a small part of that journey
Bill Allerton (Cybermouse Books)
SYLVIE
WRIGHT
REMEMBERED
2
This page is the continuation of the collation of messages in regards to Sylvie that
have been received since she passed.
This first remembrance isn’t actually one as it was actually sent to Sylvie by Alex
the day before she died, so Sylvie heard it, I think it is worth including as it
sums up what Sylvie meant to Alex.
I want my friend and people who are important in my life to know, how important they
are to me and you are one of my really important friends, you’re the first kind of
MS person that I really became friends with, and we were like partners in crime.
You know you have such a love of life, interest in and love of people and you were
also a real inspiration and support to me. I wanted to say how thankful I am for
that. Your also interesting, quirky, terrible jokes. Fantastic mum and just a real
force of nature, your determination and your courage and your strength and everything
is just fantastic and really, I know it sounds corny, but kind of an inspiration
to me.
I know it doesn’t seem like that because we don’t talk or visit enough, but I still
think of you, talk of you. You are part of my life story and a very important part….
I wanted you to know this, lots and lots of love.
Alex
Sylvie, a great free spirit, even though trapped for many years in her poor dear
body.
The Pyrahs
I have 2 particular memories of Sylvia. One was her smile, which seemed to be there
so much of the time. The other was her enthusiasm for riddles, jokes and poems. She
could produce a generous chain of riddles and jokes off the top of her head. When
I went through the book of her writings, she did appreciate the time we spent on
her poems. I’m glad you and Sylvie were able to visit my new home, it means my last
memory of Sylvie is such a happy one. Keith Austin
Sylvia had such spirit to make the most of her life.
Mary Balbi
She was brave and amazing, that despite all the obstacles she did so much with her
life.
Linda and Michael Brown
What an amazing sister and mother she has been - so bravely facing this long and
devastating illness. We shall remember her for her bravery and for all those wonderful
jokes. Peter and Joan Bear
She was a great sister and great mum… She will be greatly missed by us. She is now
free from all her physical restrictions and I hope her spirit is soaring high. Few
young girls (possibly 8 or 9 years old) can boast they broke the little finger of
a friend. That’s what happened to our son Martin when they both collided in the back
garden chasing after a ball. Marilyn and Glen Vickers
I was diagnosed with very aggressive MS in 2002, and have been a wheelchair user
since 2003. Back then Sylvie was a regular contributor to the MSRC message boards
- always so generous to others with her support, empathy, time, advice and wide ranging
MS holistic knowledge. We became online friends…. There was a vibrancy and dynamism
about Sylvie that forever instilled empowerment, fun and positivity to all who knew
her within the MS community, and beyond. Sylvie had a brilliant ‘no stone unturned’
approach to life itself as well as to the reality of living with MS.
Later when Sylvie and Steve visited my wife Kirsten and I in Scotland I remember
them quoting from a favourite comedian, the late Bill Hicks; life is a ride they
would say, life’s just a ride. Always stu
ck with me. Two brilliant souls living life
to its brightest and fullest, amidst travels and adventures, the twists and turns,
the ups and downs. Their most treasured joy in life of course forever being Marcus,
now Emerald.
Sylvie’s Living with MS website and he ‘My Crazy Brain’ book are a beautiful legacy
from such a unique and insightful person. I know the website and book will both continue
to help inspire and empower countless people facing similar challenges, which is
a comforting thought at such a sad time. Still giving, even now.
As a disabled person such as myself, with my wife Kirsten, as my 24 hour carer, I
do have some insight into the selfless sacrifices loved ones make and the intense
pressures involved through circumstances in caring for those closest to them. Sylvie,
was the first to admit in correspondence to me that she could be ‘a nightmare’ with
her carers, (paid or unpaid) because of all she was going through in the darkest
times. I know how enormously grateful she was…. particularly after Steve’s passing……
for (carers and family) always being there in every capacity in times of such need.
Graeme (& Kirsten) Brown
Sylvie Wright
My Crazy Brain (A Life with M.S.)
(ISBN 978-0-9930424-7-8)