Musmate / Bungee

My name is Liz and I was a former Occupational Therapist. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1998. I managed to carry on working for several years before being medically retired at the age of 45. I became a regular at the MS Therapy Centre in Exeter, attending weekly for physiotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

At this stage, I was limping and walking with difficulty, using two crutches while dragging my foot.

in 2005 when I met fellow MS Centre members, Ken and Annie. Annie was also struggling with drop foot. During a walk on Dartmoor, Annie kept catching her foot and tripping on the rocky paths. Driven to help, Ken—who was a clever geophysicist, and he rigged an elastic bungee cord from the laces of Annie’s walking boots to her rucksack strap. There the concept of the bungee aid was born!

We spent a few weeks working together alongside the technical staff at the MS Centre to refine the design. This teamwork gave birth to the Musmate, a simple, mechanical walking aid.

I have worn this device for over 20 years and firmly credit it with keeping me on my feet. Thanks to the Musmate, I am still able to walk around my house today, holding onto furniture or using her four-wheeled walker.

Back in 2009, Cambridge University contacted me because they wanted to research the Musmate’s benefits for conditions causing a dropped foot.

While the timing wasn't right for Ken and Annie back then, I spoke to Annie recently and she was keen to get back in touch with the university.

With my background as an OT, I know that research into the value and uses of any medical aid is essential, if the NHS wants to get involved. The business and patent were eventually bought by Dr Andrew Wynd, who hasn't actively promoted it. However, I reached out to him recently about the Cambridge University research idea, and he agreed it is a wonderful plan.

For me, this simple aid has been life-changing, and I would love to see a university take on the research to prove just how much it can help.

If anyone reading this is interested in researching this walking aid, or if you would simply like to find out more, Liz would love to hear from you.

Please contact the MS Therapy Centre and we will gladly put you in touch with Liz!