For International Day of Persons with Disabilities, our Vice President of Education, Holly Pearce, sat down with Operations and Governance Coordinator, Hannah Laycock, for an open and heartfelt conversation about how living with MS has reshaped her outlook on life—and what she wishes others understood about the challenges of navigating an invisible condition.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
“What You Don’t See: The Reality of Invisible Disabilities”: A conversation with HISA’s Operations and Governance Coordinator Hannah Laycock
For International Day of Persons with Disabilities, our Vice President of Education, Holly Pearce, sat down with Operations and Governance Coordinator, Hannah Laycock, for an open and heartfelt conversation about how living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has reshaped her outlook on life—and what she wishes others understood about the challenges of navigating an invisible condition.
Navigating Life with an Invisible Disability
Holly: In what ways has MS changed your sense of independence, purpose, or identity?
Hannah: I was diagnosed back in 2013, so it has been about 11 years now. In some ways it feels like only yesterday, but at the same time it feels like a lifetime ago. Looking back, I can see how much has shifted since that moment. At first, the diagnosis felt overwhelming, but over time it became part of my everyday reality. It is strange how something so lifechanging can eventually feel woven into the fabric of your life. The journey has not been static, things have developed and evolved over the years, and I have had to adapt along the way.
One of the biggest changes has been around independence. I have always thought of myself as independent, but living with this condition has reshaped what that means. Independence now includes knowing when to ask for help or prompting others if I need a bit of extra support in certain contexts. It is about striking a balance—holding onto self-reliance while also being open enough to let people in when it matters. At the same time, my outlook on life has deepened. I have always been drawn to meaningfulness, but the diagnosis heightened that sense of purpose in both my personal and professional life. It has made empathy, adaptability, and active listening even more important to me, and given me a greater awareness of what others might be experiencing. I do not go around telling everyone about my condition, but I have learned that being honest in the right moments can make a real difference.
How MS can affect your day-to-day activities
Holly: How does managing MS influence the rhythm or texture of your everyday life — your routines, energy, or sense of control?
Hannah: Day to day, I must be mindful of my routine. If I am doing something that is outside of my usual rhythm, something that uses up more energy, I must stop and think about how that might affect tomorrow or even the next few days. It has taught me to be more flexible and patient, though I will admit I sometimes lose patience with myself. Still, it is about recognising that every activity has a knock-on effect and being aware of how to manage that balance.
Before my diagnosis, I would have thrown myself into things without a second thought. For example, we have been doing restorative work on the house recently, like putting in a new kitchen. In the past, I would have been gung-ho, getting stuck in from start to finish. Now, I have to approach it differently taking part in short bursts, then resting, depending on the activity. It can be unpredictable from one day to the next, but I know that if I push myself too far, I will pay for it later. So, it is about pacing, listening to my body, and accepting that independence sometimes means working smarter, not harder.
The Importance of researching invisible disabilities
Holly: What do you wish people understood about what it feels like to live with something invisible?
Hannah: For me, it really comes down to the invisibility of the condition. Just because someone looks well on the outside does not mean they are not dealing with countless challenges behind the scenes to keep themselves going or to fit in with what everyone else seems able to do. That is something I wish more people understood—that invisible conditions are real, and they can be exhausting. I would appreciate greater understanding, but I also recognise that many people simply do not have experience with this, so education is key. Part of my role is being open when I can, so that I can help raise awareness and give others a glimpse into what it is like to live with something that is not always visible.
MS is a spectrum, and that is important to acknowledge. Some people may use wheelchairs or walking aids all the time, while for me it is more occasional. Most of the time, people would not notice unless they see me day-to-day and begin to understand how my condition affects me. That is the challenge with invisible disabilities—they are not obvious, but they shape every aspect of your life. By sharing my experiences, I hope to bridge that gap in understanding and highlight the reality of living with something that others might never see.
The misconceptions and assumptions of MS
Holly: How do you respond to people’s assumptions or misconceptions about what you can and cannot do?
Hannah: I try to be as open as possible, because not everyone has experience of disability. Some people have never encountered it, while others may only understand certain aspects. There are so many different conditions people live with, and I do not expect anyone to automatically know what it is like to live with MS. Before my own diagnosis, I had some awareness, but it was not until I experienced it myself that I truly understood the reality.
That is why openness matters. Many people do not know the language or the lived reality of an invisible condition, and that can lead to misconceptions. By sharing my experiences, I hope to reduce those misunderstandings and encourage empathy. For example, I cannot run anymore or walk long distances—climbing a Munro is out of reach. I can still swim and cycle, which give me freedom, but even cycling has limits. I might cover more ground, yet when I get off the bike my legs can feel like jelly. The saving grace is that the bike carries my weight, unlike walking. Sharing these realities is not about expecting everyone to know everything—it is about raising awareness and helping people see beyond the surface.
How has MS influenced your outlook on the future
Holly: Do you think about the future differently now compared to before your diagnosis?
Hannah: I do not think my ambitions have changed, but the pace of life certainly has. Since my diagnosis, I have become more mindful of how I move through each day. Things naturally slow down—not just with age, but because I must think carefully about how today’s choices might affect tomorrow. I am still ambitious, but that ambition feels different now. It is less about constant achievement and more about balance, purpose, and meaningfulness.
Of course, there are days when it is hard. Living with a condition can affect your mental health, and sometimes I find myself asking, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ Even though there are communities of people with similar experiences, it can still feel isolating because each journey is unique. But that is also where I have found strength: focusing on connection, empathy, and creativity. My ambitions now are tied to doing work that matters—whether in my creative practice or in my professional life. I would not take on a role that did not feel purposeful, because for me, the future is about meaningful impact rather than simply ticking off achievements.