Hi, my name is Maya and in August 2024, I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Like so many young people faced with this news, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of what the future would look like. But I knew I wanted to do something to turn something difficult into something positive.
I had graduated with a degree in Musical Theatre just 3 months before my first relapse. Despite knowing that MS meant I couldn’t pursue the career I had trained so hard for, my body simply wouldn’t be able to cope with the demands, I couldn’t let my degree go to waste. That’s when Musicals for MS was born. I turned to what I knew best: organising and musicals. My plan was to produce a charity cabaret, create a night of musical theatre with amazing performers, and donate all profits to an MS charity.
The problem was, I wasn’t sure who I was going to pick. There are so many charities that do incredible work to support Multiple Sclerosis that I wasn’t sure who to go with. But then, as I was researching my new diagnosis, I came across an episode of the podcast ‘The MSing Link’ called ‘Community Support for Young Adults with Multiple Sclerosis’. I felt like I was definitely the target audience for this episode. Young Adult? Check! I was 23 when I was diagnosed. With Multiple Sclerosis? Check! I’d had enough tests to confirm that one.
The guest on that episode was Amy, who spoke about how, when she was diagnosed, there was no support and nobody out there her age she could speak to. I really resonated with this. I had joined some Facebook groups but most members were from an older age range and had been diagnosed for many years. Many of the posts weren’t very optimistic, and as someone newly diagnosed, it was quite daunting to me. But when Amy began discussing the charity she had created so that young people with MS could speak to others in the same position as them, I ran straight to Google and found MS Together.
After joining, the MS Together WhatsApp and Facebook groups quickly became a support network to me. They gave me a safe place to speak openly about my experiences, ask questions freely, and process my diagnosis. I also joined the MS Together Book Club, which has led me to make some incredible friends (and discover plenty of new book recommendations!).
It was clear to me then that Musicals for MS should raise money for MS Together. I wanted to give back to the charity that had already given me so much. So I got to work! Over 11 months, I booked a venue, cast some incredible performers, chased down raffle prizes, and became something of a Canva and Social Media pro along the way.
On 10th August 2025, Musicals for MS took place at The Crazy Coqs in Soho. The performers sang a range of musical theatre favourites, from Funny Girl to Les Misérables to Matilda, and feedback from the audience was more than I could ever have hoped for. Through ticket sales, JustGiving donations, and raffle tickets, the event raised £1,465 for MS Together.
I’m so grateful to everyone who performed, donated, or came along on the night. I’m hopeful this is just the beginning, and that another charity cabaret may be on the cards in the future..
Living with MS can be a lot, but in the words of Stephen Sondheim, ‘No One is Alone’.
