A DISABLED dad says the cost of living squeeze has forced him to survive on discount turkey sandwiches – even though they are worsening his debilitating health problems.
Vince Ashton, 50, says his struggle to find a healthy diet is drastically deteriorating his multiple sclerosis.
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The 50-year-old, from Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester, says he is “just scraping by” as he can only afford to live off yellow-sticker food shopping.
Vince’s multiple sclerosis, a condition which affects his brain and nerves, means he easily fatigues and has difficulty walking.
Although the disease cannot be cured, it can be helped by medicines and a healthy diet – a remedy he is unable to afford due to the skyrocketing cost of living.
The dad-of-three says that while those with MS are advised to eat plenty of fruit and veg and avoid processed food, he is instead reliant upon the reduced section of supermarkets to get by.
Recently, this has resulted in a diet made up of processed, cut-price turkey slices.
He told Manchester Evening News: “I almost feel as if I’m living day-by-day. I can’t plan for the future.
“It makes me feel inadequate. It’s like you’re being penalised for being ill.”
Vince was first diagnosed with relapsing MS in 2011 after he lost the use of his right leg, a symptom he put down to a sporting injury at the time.
But after visiting a physiotherapist, a subsequent MRI scan found that Vince had multiple sclerosis – a diagnosis that forced him to give up his career as a paediatric nurse.
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Despite receiving Personal Independence Payments as he is unable to work, he says the benefit barely gives him enough to survive.
Since a healthy diet was taken out of his reach, Vince said his physical and mental health have taken a sharp downturn.
“I’m meant to have a low saturated fat diet, but the problem is that it costs a lot more money than it does to eat unhealthy food,” he said.
“Gradually, over this year, the prices have increased. I always try and go to the supermarkets towards the end of the day for the expired things.
“I end up buying the fried foods rather than eating healthy.”
I do worry about it. I’ve noticed a decline in my health, absolutely. It also makes me less active
Vince Ashton, 50
Vince has shared his story to urge Brits to back the campaign #BreakingPoint – which is calling upon the government to step up its efforts for people with MS to get through the winter.
He continued: “It affects your mental health a lot, it’s really hard. I’m trying to follow a diet to help my MS but it’s very expensive, sometimes I just have to eat whatever’s available.
“The diet includes a lot of fish and healthy foods, but it’s so much cheaper to eat rubbish – which makes my fatigue worse.”
The dad slammed current efforts to help those in his position as he is forced to reduce heating his home due to spiralling costs, and says he is worried about plummeting temperatures heading into winter.
Those suffering with MS also often spend more on utilities due to factors such as charging medical equipment and heating to maintain circulation.
“There should be more money and support to help with that sort of thing. I need to be able to maintain a standard of life”, he said.
As the cost of living crisis continues to deteriorate, the MS Society is now pushing for more support to help those set to struggle over winter.
Anastasia Berry, policy manager at the MS Society, said: “This is a tough time for everyone, but people with MS are being hit especially hard by the cost of living crisis.
“Skyrocketing bills are pushing many into crushing debt, and forcing them to make devastating choices between essentials like food, fuel and medication.
Living with MS is relentless, painful and disabling, people with MS are left wondering how they’ll survive the winter
Anastasia Berry, policy manager at the MS Society
“The situation is critical and an emergency response is required. Cutting taxes and freezing energy bills is simply not enough, and will not help those who are unable to work or already drowning in debt.
“We urge the government to step up and do more. They must introduce a new cost of living support package to bring people back from #BreakingPoint.”
Those wanting to support the campaign to provide additional financial support can sign the #BreakingPoint petition here.
