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North East MS sufferer turns tragedy into writing career

Jul 17 2011 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

Marcus Smith from Rowlands Gill, who has written an eBook, Induction, about his experiences with multiple sclerosis

FORMER pub landlord Marcus Smith is turning a curse into a new career.

The fun-loving 37-year-old’s world collapsed when he became the fifth member of his close-knit family to be diagnosed with debilitating multiple sclerosis.

But he is turning the tragedy into triumph with a new career as a writer detailing his fight with his condition.

Marcus was living his dream as boss of The Highlander pub in Winlaton, Gateshead on Tyneside.

But almost overnight the 37-year-old lost his job and his home above the pub when doctors told him he had the nerve-damaging disease.

Having watched his grandmother, mum, cousin and half-brother battle the condition – which attacks the central nervous system – Marcus knew the battle that lay ahead for him, and he spent four months at Newcastle’s Walkergate Park Centre adjusting to using a wheelchair.

And it was through one form of therapy – using a keyboard to keep his hand muscles active – he discovered a talent for writing.

Now, two years on, Marcus told of the dramatic changes in his life and said: “Experts say MS is not meant to run in the family but it’s quite prevalent in mine so I would argue differently.

“My mum has it, my gran had it before she died, my cousin has it and so does my half-brother.

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