In many local areas there is a wide variety of sources of information about the availability of, and support for, leisure and recreational activities. Many general local facilities, such as swimming pools, sports centres, adult education colleges, cinemas, theatres and so on, have facilities for disabled people, and improvements to access and facilities are developing all the time. There is often an active local group dedicated to your particular interest. The service concerned or the centre in which the activity takes place should be able to give you the details – just give them a ring or visit them and tell them exactly what you require. Your local disability group, local social services or local library should also be able to provide you with information.
Do not be put of f if your own particular interests appear not to be provided for at local day centres or at adult education evening classes. This may merely be the result of a perceived lack of demand, and almost any subject can be covered by an evening class when that need is demonstrated. Push for what you are interested in, use the relevant national contact organization to give you back-up and information if necessary, and get other local people involved.
Local authorities are empowered under the Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970 to help disabled people to enjoy a wide range of recreational activities. For instance, they may help people obtain a radio, television or similar leisure facility, and go on holiday. They may also provide lectures, games, outings and many other leisure pursuits, including social and youth clubs, and may help with travel to and from home. These recreational activities are covered under Section 2 of the
1970 Act. Contact your social service department to ask for an assessment of your need for any such activity and to see if you fit the local eligibility criteria.
Some local authorities also operate a travelling library service, which will call regularly at the homes of those who are unable to visit libraries. The arrangements for all local authority services dif fer considerably from area to area but it is certainly worth making enquiries via your social services.
The PLANET (Play Leisure Advice Network) is a national information resource on all aspects of play and leisure for disabled people, and will be able to locate the headquarters of organizations specific to your leisure and hobby interests. These groups in their turn will be able to give you local contact details if they have branches or other contacts (see Appendix 1 for contact details).
In addition to information that you can obtain through the MS Society, you may well find other groups offer help or support with a good knowledge of any disabilities that you might have, such as PHAB clubs which are for anyone with and without a disability. There are numerous PHAB clubs around the UK, of fering varied programmes of social activities (see Appendix 1 for contact details).

Sport

You should try keep as active as possible – especially if your mobility is affected. It is even more important that you try and exercise regularly to try and keep your muscles and joints working as well as you can. A very active sport may not be possible for all people with the disease, but activities like swimming are possible for many. People also enjoy tennis, squash, badminton, bowls, walking and snooker.
The key thing is to make a judgement about how you actually feel (rather than what you might fear or worry about!) during and after an activity or sport. Dif ferent people with MS seem to have somewhat different reactions to activity; for example, some have a problem after getting very hot. If you do have concerns about particular sports, do consult your doctor and/or physiotherapist.
There are specialist facilities for an increasing number of sports and organizations offering advice and support. There are many organizations specifically assisting disabled people’s interests in sport and leisure. Disability Sport England develops and coordinates sporting opportunities for disabled people. It has details of organizations connected to specific sports, for example, the British Association of Cricketers with Disabilities and the National Co-ordinating Committee for Swimming For People with Disabilities. In Wales there is also the Federation of Sports Associations for the Disabled in Wales, in Northern Ireland the British Sports Association for the Disabled – Northern Ireland; and in Scotland the Scottish Sports Association for People with a Disability (SSAD).
You may find that you need some additional or specialist equipment to enable you to gain most from your chosen sport. Apart from items commonly used in the chosen sport and easily commercially available, there is a range of sport and leisure equipment produced by individuals, clubs and companies to overcome any particular difficulties you may face. If you need specialized equipment, it is likely that the organization connected to the sport or hobby (see above) will be able to give you practical advice based on personal experience. If the required item is not commercially available you may find REMAP of help. REMAP is a voluntary organization with a network of panels specializing in adapting or designing and making one-of f items of equipment for disabled individuals.

Gardening

There are many ways you can continue gardening, which can give so much pleasure, and many other people without MS find that they have to adapt the kind of gardening they do, either when their mobility or flexibility changes, or when they get older. Raised flower or vegetable beds help those with mobility problems, or those who are in wheelchairs, to continue gardening. Container-based gardening inside or outside is another possibility. In addition there are special aids and equipment.
The principles of gardening are obviously just the same whether someone has MS or not, but the tools and methods of working may need consideration. It is usually unnecessary to buy a lot of new tools – first consider what tasks you need to carry out, assess your usage of the tools you already have, and consider any adaptations that could be made to make them work to your benefit (such as adding longer handles). With careful planning, the work required in the garden can be reduced.
There are many books on plants that require less maintenance, on making gardening easier, and on accessible garden design. There are several books you can use to help you.
Another organization that promotes horticulture for people with disabilities is Horticulture for All. The Gardens for Disabled Trust raises money to help those who are disabled take an active interest in gardening, and gives advice to those who wish to adapt their gardens.