IN SICKNESS and in health, for better or for worse — for Karl and Tracy Gase these words echoed the years spent in the throes of a relentless illness.

As they joined hands at the altar, the couple, who both have multiple sclerosis, allowed their fears to fall away for an instant and vowed to face an uncertain future, together.

The couple met in an oxygen chamber while receiving treatment at the Swindon Therapy Centre for MS 12 years ago.

Following the breakdown of their respective marriages they soon became confidantes, sharing their setbacks and small victories over the progressive condition.

“We were sat there heavily breathing together,” says Karl, 51. “We chatted and got to know each other.

“That’s how it started, we were just friends. We were thrown in this together and we understood what the other was going through.

“It was a relief to find someone else in the same situation.”

Multiple sclerosis is an incurable condition which affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing problems with muscle movement, balance and vision. Karl and Tracy were both 39 years old when they were diagnosed.

For the father-of-one, it all began in 2002, on Christmas Day.

“I was tripping and falling; my balance was not right,” recalls the former Vodafone engineer.

“I had a few trips to the doctor. Eventually they did an MRI scan and it was pretty conclusive. It all happened quickly.”

The news was all the more painful as he had watched, powerless, as the same illness gnawed away at his mother’s faculties for years.

“It was a shock; I knew what it could do to someone. My mum had MS and was very poorly in the end.

“It is not supposed to be hereditary but I got it too. She had already passed away by that point and she never knew I had it, which is good in a sense.”

That year his marriage fell apart and his wife left him.

“It was really hard for me but she couldn’t cope,” he says.

Tracy was in the midst of a difficult divorce while juggling a demanding job as district bank manager, raising a toddler and looking after her sick mother when she started to lose her balance.

Her speech suddenly became slurred and she grew so unsteady that her colleagues accused her of drinking at work. She convinced herself her behaviour was simply caused by stress until she was eventually diagnosed with secondary MS.

Four years later, her condition had deteriorated to such an extent that she lost custody of her seven-year-old son.

“That was the hardest part for me: having my son taken away because I was disabled,” says the 52-year-old.

“There is no understanding of disability and it’s very difficult. You can’t work; you lose everything. My speech got much worse although it’s got better now. My walk got worse and I have to use a walker inside or a scooter outside.”

By 2005 and 2006 respectively, Tracy and Karl had become unable to work.

Five years ago, Karl finally gathered up the courage to ask Tracy out on a date.

Since they made their relationship official, Karl’s health has seriously declined.

He is now wheelchair-bound and the right-side of his body is to all intents and purposes paralysed. He relies on a carer to help him in and out of bed each day.

“It’s almost like I’ve had a stroke,” says Karl. “It’s not easy. You can get very depressed.

“It changes your life. There are constant ups and downs – that’s the nature of the beast. You can only wait and see how it’s going to affect you.”

As for Tracy, she struggles to walk without support and, like Karl, relies on a carer for day to day tasks. Fortunately, while still faltering at times, her speech has improved in recent years.

They both continue to attend oxygen therapy at the MS Centre. This involves breathing pure oxygen to alleviate pain and other symptoms of MS. Karl also receives physiotherapy.

Karl proposed to Tracy two years ago on her 50th birthday.

“We were at home and he held my hand and asked me,” says Tracy her eyes filling with tears. “I burst out crying. He put the ring on my finger.”

She moved in with her fiancé 18 months ago and they married on May 9 at St Paul’s Church in Covingham surrounded by friends and family.

Instead of gifts, guests were asked to make donations to the Swindon Therapy Centre for MS. The wedding party raised £1,000 for the charity.

“It was a highlight for us after these difficult years,” says Karl, stealing a glance at Tracy.

“I had found someone that understood me. That was very important for me. Finding Tracy gave me back my sense of self-respect. It’s so difficult when the illness takes control.”

Tracy adds: “It was such a great day. My dad walked me down the aisle and he held on to my hand. Our family and friends were there. It was a new chapter in our lives.”

While a difficult road undoubtedly lies ahead, they refuse to let the condition determine their future together.

“You worry about the illness,” concedes Tracy. “It’s always at the back of your mind. So much was taken away from me — my son, my job.

“But I see a future now. Caring for somebody I love has changed my life. Having Karl is making me stronger. I say forget about the past and be thankful for a future with him.”

“It’s a progressive illness but you can’t give up,” insists Karl. “You just can’t. It would be easy to but we are lucky to be alive and have each other. There is a life ahead for us.”