https://www.xxzza1.com
20.5 C
Newcastle

‘I have MS but that’s not going to stop me’, Sarah aims high

SHARE

It hasn’t been an easy road for Gateshead single mother Sarah Williams, but that hasn’t stopped her aiming high.

Thirteen years after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the 52-year-old is determined to push her body to yet another summit this November, by climbing to the peak of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain. 

She knows the four-day, 35km trek won’t be easy but the climb itself is in keeping with her life motto: “I have MS but that’s not going to stop me”.

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease affecting the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses from the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

The disease, that as yet has no cure, manifests itself in a wide range of symptoms that vary from person to person and are often invisible. 

For Sarah, life with MS began with stroke-like symptoms.

“I was working at Sporties in Belmont at the time. I was working my normal shift when I just got confused, my speech started slurring and my eyesight went. 

“They sent me off to the docs straight away,” she said.

Doctors initially thought Sarah had suffered a stroke but less than two months later she was sent for a CT scan to rule out anything more sinister.

“That same day they came back to me and told me I had MS and that they’d found more than 20 lesions on my brain.

“I was totally shocked.”

Sarah says that despite the symptoms appearing minimal, MS has many “behind the scenes” afflictions.

“To look at me you wouldn’t think I had anything wrong with me,” she said.

“Some of the symptoms that I’m afflicted with are Optic Neuritis (eyesight), drop foot (walking), speech impediment, dyspepsia, numbness and pins and needles.

“The last relapse I lost my ability to write and draw. 

“Also I lost my ability to speak so I had to learn how to speak again.”

Rather than letting the disease beat her, Sarah is vowing to move on, keeping active as long as she can.

In November she will undertake the Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat MS Challenge.

“I’ve tried the climb before and my body failed, I just hope I can make it this time.”

After committing to raise $3000 to participate, she will trek with a group of up to 20 travelers, together with a team from Soulful Concepts over Hansons Peak in the Cradle Mountain National Park.

“Since I’ve had MS I’ve completed three City2Surf, three Blackmores Running Festivals (Bridge Run), two Hill to Harbours, two Lake Macquarie Running Festivals and one Sydney Harbour 10km,” Sarah says.

“I had the honour of doing two trips with MS Australia – Walk the Wall to Fight MS and Trek the Larapinta Trail to Fight MS. This will be my third time raising money for MS.”  

To raise funds in the lead-up to her trek Sarah is hosting an event at the Windale Gateshead Bowling Club on Saturday 18 September from 1pm to 6pm.

For a $10 entry fee the community can participate in barefoot bowls and a free sausage sizzle as well as raffles and prizes.

Contact [email protected] for more details.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects around three times as many women as men and is commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40 years, when many women are focusing on career and family planning.

An early diagnosis and good health management can make a huge difference to treatment and management of the disease.
 
MS Australia will partner with Jean Hailes for Women’s Health Week this year, held September 6 – 10.

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.

More Stories

Newcastle Weekly

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Newcastle Weekly. News, Community, Lifestyle, Property delivered direct to your inbox! 100% Local, 100% Free.

You have Successfully Subscribed!