Saima's Story
Saima Naeem is 28 years old and lives in Walthamstow where she volunteers at a Crisis charity shop. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 11, Saima has successfully managed her condition by attending Sports for Confidence sessions at Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre, where she visits three times a week.
Saima had always enjoyed exercising and after her initial MS diagnosis, continued to swim every week at Leyton Leisure Centre. Unfortunately, in 2019 her condition worsened which had a major impact on her mental and physical health.
“I wasn’t able to move and had no energy, so I essentially became bed bound. My family had to help me with everything – feeding, bathing and cooking. I had previously been a confident, outgoing person, so it really affected me. My confidence was at rock bottom, I felt anxious, depressed and isolated.”
As her condition continued to worsen, so did the severity of Saima’s symptoms.
“I experienced body stiffness, chronic pain, full body tremors, degrees of blindness, deafness and mutism, as well as a loss of taste.”
Three years later, in 2024, Saima’s MS nurse recommended the Sports For Confidence programme, based at Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre and Saima has been regularly attending since then. She has tried all six Sports For Confidence activities - her two favourites are boccia and chair-based exercise.
Saima says: “The amazing support from the Sports For Confidence staff has made every session fun and empowering. I’ve regained my confidence, joined groups and made loyal friends. The journey has given me a renewed sense of strength and belonging.”
In addition, Saima joined Better’s Healthwise GP Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS) in November 2024 which she completed in March 2025 with support from her Healthwise administrator Anton Stevens.
She says: “The severity of my MS means that it’s hard to predict when my body will allow me to be mobile, so my initial appointments all had to be rescheduled. Anton was amazingly understanding – it was fantastic to meet someone who totally understood my condition. We are now friends and I have recommended lots of people to Healthwise and the fitness classes.”
In January 2025, Saima took out Better’s inclusive UK membership. She now visits Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre two or three times a week, trying a variety of gentle exercise classes, including yoga and pilates.
“Attending Sports For Confidence and other tailored activities after my MS diagnosis has been life changing. I feel more present in my body, my confidence has soared and I no longer feel anxious and depressed.
“I don’t feel isolated anymore because I’ve made lots of friends, including a fellow MS sufferer. It’s been wonderful to support each other and share our experiences.
“I would not hesitate to recommend Healthwise and Sports for Confidence. No matter how severe your condition, doing regular and appropriate physical exercise with the support of experts will hugely benefit you mentally as well as physically.”