Read Susan Crane's inspiring story about living with Multiple Sclerosis and how Ribcap headgear supports her journey. Discover how she balances safety, comfort, and confidence in her daily life with MS.

My Ribcap story - Susan Crane, MS Society, UK

In December 2019, I was walking my dog in the morning as usual. Unfortunately, he was excited by a pigeon, a squirrel, the local cat - something. I don't know what it was because I fell backwards onto my head, slamming it onto the tarmac. Fortunately, my neighbour was looking out of her window just after I fell and she called an ambulance. I live 5 minutes from an excellent tertiary hospital that has a major trauma unit so, although I sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), I was well looked after (for three weeks) and I was fortunate to make a good recovery. While I was in Intensive Care, my partner wondered aloud to our daughter whether or not there were people who made headgear that looked like everyday hats, but that incorporated helmet-level protection for people with balance or other issues that make them vulnerable to falling (I was diagnosed in 2005 with multiple sclerosis (MS), which is often accompanied by balance difficulties).

My daughter found Ribcap online at that time but unfortunately didn’t tell me. I used to trip and fall on pavements in London approximately 12 times a year. I got quite good at it; I recognised when it was about to happen and I relaxed my limbs to avoid breaking anything. I only broke my finger in 2018 - again with my dog. Nine months later, I was on a country lane in the dark and I tripped and fell backwards, smacking my head on the tarmac again. This time the ambulance took longer and the local district hospital was much farther away. Luckily, I was transferred to a tertiary hospital and made a very good recovery from a second TBI. After my second fall, I ordered my first Ribcap online - the one that looks like a baseball hat or a riding helmet. I later ordered the winter version and then the summer version.

I wear one of my Ribcap hats every time I leave the house. I've fallen a couple of times since my TBIs but always facing forward. However, I fell on the back of my head outside my house two weeks ago; thank goodness I was wearing my Ribcap. I know from that experience how essential it is for me to never stop wearing my Ribcap hat when I go outdoors. After that fall, the back of my head did feel slightly sore, but I was back up on my feet very quickly. I went on my way with such relief and gratitude that I was wearing my Ribcap hat. I didn't need proof that it works but it was immensely reassuring to have it.