Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox, who will appear on the next series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, has spoken candidly about living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the challenges of an invisible disability.
The 30-year-old, who has won four Paralympic gold medals in sprinting and cycling, was diagnosed with MS in 2014 after suffering a stroke. She told the MS Trust that the diagnosis was initially difficult, as she had seen MS patients during her physiotherapy studies and was 'horrified' at the prospect of losing her independence.
Cox explained that sport gave her a goal and something she could control, helping her overcome the initial shock. She now embraces opportunities, saying: 'You don't know when things are going to change... so if you've got an opportunity, I always think take it while it's there.'
The athlete experiences muscle spasms, altered sensations, pins and needles, burning, memory problems, and fatigue. She uses a wheelchair when fatigued. Cox has also been open about her eating disorder, noting that competition periods can trigger a 'wobble' when 'hate for my body becomes a little bit more intense.'
Despite these challenges, Cox remains positive, drawing strength from her past struggles. She said: 'I wouldn't have never expected to be living the life that I live.'
