“My MS, My Rules”: New documentary follows woman’s extraordinary TCS London Marathon 2025 journey
A powerful new documentary from award-winning Surrey-based production company Scruffy Bear Media, created in collaboration with national charity MS-UK, tells the story of one woman’s determination to redefine what living with Multiple Sclerosis looks like by taking on the TCS London Marathon 2025.
Released one year on to coincide with the TCS London Marathon 2026, My MS, My Rules is a 38-minute film following Anjali Silva-Vadgama (Anji) from Kettering, Northamptonshire, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 29. The condition - which affects the brain and spinal cord - brings a complex and unpredictable mix of symptoms, from chronic pain and fatigue to mobility challenges and issues that are rarely spoken about openly.
But this is not simply a story about illness. It is a story about identity, resilience, and choosing to live fully in the face of uncertainty.
Filmed throughout early 2025, the documentary offers an honest and intimate look at Anji’s life - not just her physical challenges, but her mindset, humour, and determination to push beyond the expectations often placed on those living with chronic conditions.
Central to the film is Anji’s decision to take on the TCS London Marathon 2025 - a daunting challenge for anyone, but one that carries additional complexity when every step must be balanced against pain, fatigue, and unpredictability.
Rather than presenting a conventional “training story”, the film captures something far more human: the reality of adapting, adjusting, and persevering. For Anji, preparation meant listening closely to her body, managing symptoms day by day, and confronting anxieties that many runners never have to consider - including the impact of MS on bladder and bowel control, an often overlooked but deeply significant aspect of the condition.
The documentary follows her journey on marathon day itself - a mix of uplifting moments and real struggle - supported by her family, the MS-UK team, and support walkers and filmmakers, Nicky Hagan and Darren S. Cook. What unfolds is not a polished narrative of triumph, but something far more powerful: an honest portrayal of endurance, vulnerability, and determination.
Completing the 26.2 miles stands as a remarkable achievement, but the film makes clear that the real story lies in everything it took to get there. Reflecting back, Anji said: “Walking the London Marathon with MS was never about proving anything to anyone else — it was about showing myself that I can still live life on my own terms. There were moments that were really tough, but also moments I’ll never forget, especially seeing my wife Asha and the people I love along the route.
Watching the documentary back was incredibly emotional - Asha was fighting back tears through most of it, which says everything really. It reminded me how much this journey means, not just to me, but to everyone who’s been part of it. If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone or more confident to try something they didn’t think was possible, then it’s all been worth it.”
Anji’s marathon is also part of a much wider story of advocacy and community. Passionate about supporting marginalised groups, including people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community, she uses her platform to champion inclusivity and representation.
Her fundraising and awareness efforts for MS-UK extend beyond the London Marathon. In 2025, she also completed the Kettering Half Marathon, and in both 2023 and 2024 took on the demanding Tower Walk of The Gherkin in London, climbing its many floors to raise funds and visibility for those living with MS. She has also participated in community fundraising events such as charity walks, consistently using her voice and experiences to support others.
The documentary also highlights the work of MS-UK, a national charity dedicated to helping people affected by multiple sclerosis live healthier, happier lives. Through services including a national helpline, online classes and information sessions, and peer support, MS-UK provides vital, accessible support for individuals navigating the realities of MS.
Featuring contributions from members of the MS-UK team, the film reinforces the importance of community, understanding, and practical support in improving quality of life for those affected by the condition.
Speaking about the project, Darren of Scruffy Bear Media said: “Anji’s story is about more than completing a marathon. It’s about living life on your own terms, even when faced with something unpredictable and often invisible. We wanted to capture that honestly. The strength, the struggle, and everything in between.”
My MS, My Rules aims to challenge perceptions of disability, open up conversations around lesser-discussed symptoms, and celebrate the resilience of those living with chronic illness.
The documentary has been released in collaboration with MS-UK and is available to watch on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/o2EPyYTqmPc
About Scruffy Bear Media
Operating worldwide, Scruffy Bear Media develops independent films and TV, creates content for and manages live events/streaming, as well as directing, producing, and editing music videos, corporate films and more.
In 2024, Scruffy Bear Media released the award-winning climate change music video and documentary ‘Sing to Change: Boston 2 Boston’, which they produced, directed, and edited.
Most recently, the team premiered their 2026 feature film “Tales of the Underworld" - the prequel to National Film Award winning ‘Lucas and Albert’ - which screens at Southend Film Festival on Friday 5th June 2026 and will be available in cinemas later this year.
Scruffy Bear Media have several feature film projects in development including ‘sKorned’ and ‘The Well’ at Free@Last TV, and ‘Babysitters’, the final film in the Lucas and Albert trilogy, with Longhurst and Putt Productions.
About MS-UK
MS-UK is a national charity formed in 1993. We are here for people affected by multiple sclerosis – that’s around 150,000 people in the UK and 2.3 million worldwide. MS-UK is here for anyone affected by multiple sclerosis, to empower them to live healthier and happier lives by improving the understanding of MS and providing support where it is needed most.
MS is a condition that affects the central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord. There is currently no cure. The symptoms people experience vary greatly from person to person and over time. Such symptoms may include fatigue, pain, sensory problems such as with vision, cognition difficulties and issues with bodily functions such as speech and swallowing and bladder and bowel.
MS-UK has always been at the forefront of promoting choice, of providing people with all the information and support they need to live life as they wish to with multiple sclerosis; whether that be through drugs, complementary therapies, lifestyle changes, a mixture of these or none at all.
Find out more about MS-UK online at www.ms-uk.org.