Health & FitnessInformation ResourcesFrom doctor to patient - one man's journey with MS From doctor to patient - one man's journey with MS
By Jayne Warren - 12/03/2007
Some people's lives can be a source of inspiration and hope for us all - no matter what our circumstances. One such man is Sandy Burnfield, who was diagnosed with symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the tender age of 20. Now 62, he spoke to the Mature Times about his insights, his dedicated work with the MS Trust, his involvement with the film "Duet For One", Buddhist psychology… and Paso Fino horses.
"I first started experiencing pain in my left eye, blurring and loss of vision when I was a 20 year old second year medical student,” says Sandy. “At the time I didn't know of any family history of MS - but I later found out that a few close relatives have suffered from the condition too. I was officially diagnosed around four years later and had to give up my job in A&E because an MS episode left me unable to use my hands - a real problem for a doctor stitching people up!
"So I switched to a career in psychiatry which involved less physical work - a change I've never regretted for one moment. And I'm lucky. My type of MS affects my vision, bladder and walking (optico-spinal). Other types of MS can cause cognitive problems such as memory loss and lack of empathy with people, which can cause them terrible rejection and hurt.
Questions
“I have moved from asking ‘why me’ to ‘why not me’? I’ve experienced all the anguish, depression and anger that goes with having an illness like MS, and my attitude now is that it is better to answer questions than ask them. My advice to anyone recently diagnosed with MS is that it is OK to be sad and angry and frightened at the beginning. It is a stage that everyone can and does go through but that you can still lead a fulfilled life."
Sandy now specialises in the emotional and relationship problems of families with MS and has written and published two books and many articles on the topic.
"When a parent has MS, the child can often feel anxious that it has caused the illness. And this anxiety and fear has to be talked through in a language that the child can understand. In my experience these children often grow up to have a better understanding of such things than their peers."
Sandy was the medical advisor on the 1986 award-winning film ‘Duet for One, which was loosely based on the life of cellist Jacqueline du Pre who was diagnosed with MS, and her husband, conductor Daniel Barenboim. "My own experience of having MS put me in quite a unique position - I could pass on my insights both as a psychiatrist and patient to the actors in the production. In the film, the Julie Andrews character is slipping into the depths of depression, and despises her psychiatrist for not being able to feel her pain. At least I can do that with my clients!
Personal experience
“I have found Buddhist psychology and philosophy very helpful in understanding and adapting to the experience of having an illness. I am not “religious” but describe myself as a “student of Buddhist concepts and practice”, and I'm a Trustee of the Golden Buddha Centre."
Recent publicity surrounding the court case over the manufacture and use of cannabis to help MS symptoms has raised a number of interesting questions. Said Sandy: "I personally do not use cannabis because my symptoms are not severe now – but I might do so if my symptoms could not be controlled in any other way. We are all individuals and although the proper research has not yet been done, cannabis has been used for hundreds of years as a medicine.
“And as far as prosecutions go each case should be judged on its individual merits. But I do think that prosecution should be used minimally in cases where a person is genuine and considerate in trying to treat the often painful, humiliating and distressing symptoms of MS in that way - and is not putting others at risk.
Sandy, who is married with grandchildren, has now retired as a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, but is available for explorative and therapeutic conversation, mentoring and supervision on a non-medical basis. He sees children, adults and families as well as working with Health, Social and Educational professionals.
To find out more about Sandy and his books visit the sites below.