SINCE being diagnosed with MS a year ago, my life has changed remarkably.

I’m a podiatrist and I’ve had to reduce my hours because of pain and stiffness caused by the condition.

It was only through talking to others that I realised I could get disability benefits.

But after applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), I was turned down.

Reflecting on the assessment process has made me really angry.

I felt it was totally irrelevant – I was asked things like what my favourite meal was, but not how far I could walk.

I don’t think the assessor had any understanding of MS or the fact symptoms fluctuate, that I never have the same day twice.

I wrote to David Cameron to explain how bad I think the situation is.

I thought that getting a diagnosis for a lifetime illness would mean I would be entitled to help and support.

MS is a condition that I will not get better from.

I don’t believe the PIP assessment captures its unpredictability and ‘invisible’ symptoms like chronic fatigue and cognitive problems.

The government is currently looking into how PIP is working.

Having MS is hard enough – it shouldn’t be made harder by a benefits system that doesn’t make sense.

That’s why I’m supporting the MS Society’s MS: Enough campaign – I want the government to know that PIP needs to reflect the realities of living with MS.

– Sophie Allen, Cinderford.