A young Scots mum feels trapped in her own home after a devastating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis.
Shannon Turnbull was diagnosed with MS, an incurable condition that affects the brain, spine and nerves, in January.
If the 25-year-old wants to leave her flat in Edinburgh, someone has to carry her down the 22 steps to the main door, Edinburgh Live reports.
In just a couple of months the MS has worsened, meaning she often relies on a wheelchair or crutches as she struggles to walk and move around.
With sons Louis six, and Tommy, two to look after Shannon feels she is 'wasting her life' as she's 'stuck' at home awaiting physio and to be housed in a ground floor flat - which could take six months.
Shannon said: “It’s been tiring to say the least, I have had a lot of knock backs with my journey.
“I was discharged and passed onto physio but I haven’t received any yet.
"I’ve been told there has been a dip in my progress, they are seeing that the muscles around my kneecap are deteriorating, so I can’t really do anything with my leg.
“Most days I can’t even get out of bed, sometimes I can’t really even do anything round the house."
She added: “I’m also stuck in the house most of the time because there are 22 stairs to get out of it, so I need someone to carry me down to get out.
"Sometimes it does feel like I’m only 25 and that I’m wasting my life.
“My house itself is fine and I’ve made a few adaptations so I can get round it, I’ve been here six years and it’s privately owned.
“I need something on the ground floor but the council have said it could be another six months before I can get anything."
The former retail worker's life 'turned upside' when her 'whole left side went numb' back in January which she believed was a trapped nerve.
Rushed to A&E, Shannon spent three days in hospital where she underwent MRI scans and tests, before being told she was suffering from MS.
She fears for her eldest Louis and his mental wellbeing amid her health struggles.
The doting mum added: “It’s been really hard on my six-year-old, he already suffered with some mental health issues and has been a really anxious child and the whole thing has really affected him and made it difficult for him to settle in school.
“My MS has really flipped his world upside down, he was in such a strict routine where mummy would put him to bed at night and mummy would take him to school and now that’s changed.
“But his school have honestly been amazing, his teacher has helped to teach him and the other kids in his class about MS, so they’ve been great.”
Following an outpouring of support online when she shared her initial diagnosis, Shannon continued to share her experiences with the condition, which has now seen her nominated for 'Positive Role Model for Disability' at the National Diversity Awards.
With the finalists to attend a ceremony in England in September, Shannon is "completely overwhelmed" to have been considered.
She added: “Posting really helps to keep me distracted from my health and how I’m feeling a lot of the time.
“When I first said I had MS there were lots of people who were interested to know more about it.
"Before I had it even though I didn't know much, I’d heard of a few people who had it but they were much older and more disabled than I was, so people have been really interested to learn more about it.
“When I was first told I had MS I thought my life was over, but posting has also let me connect with people who are in the same situation as me.
“When I first found out about the nomination it was on social media and I honestly thought someone was having a joke with me.
"It’s been so overwhelming, I can’t believe people think I'm inspiring, I’m so grateful.”
If you would like to vote for Shannon to help her secure the Positive Role Model Award for Disability head to the National Diversity Awards website.
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