VICKY Willatts is fighting back against the multiple sclerosis that is gradually robbing her of her mobility – by taking part in self-defence classes.

But for 62-year-old Mrs Willatts and many others with MS, the condition can take a heavy emotional and social toll, and affect work life, according to a new report.

The report – Fighting Back: Ordinary people battling the everyday effects of MS – produced by the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS), to mark MS Awareness Week – also reveals a worrying level of ignorance, stigma and negative attitudes toward disabled people.

The Wales launch of the report was held at the regular meeting of the Torfaen and district branch of the MSS, at St Mary’s Church Hall, New Inn, where Mrs Willatts, from Llantarnam, is among several people who take part in monthly self-defence classes.

It is her way of keeping active, more of a challenge since she now has to use a walking frame.

“I was told I may have had MS for ten years, and I’m older than usual in terms of developing it,” said Mrs Willatts.

“The diagnosis explained symptoms I couldn’t understand.

I’d been taking falls, had problems with my right side, pins and needles in my hands and fingers.

“The self-defence is fantastic.

I go home absolutely exhausted. But my arms would have definitely stiffened up and my mobility worsened without it. I was a very active person before and I don’t want to lose that.”

Torfaen and district branch has run self-defence classes for a couple of years now, provided by the Cwmbran-based Kempo Ryu (a mixture of kung fu and karate) Association Wales.