I had my first relapse at the age of 24 when I was admitted to hospital due to food poisoning. Four years later I had a second relapse and I was told that this was middle ear infection. This time I was unbalanced and unable to walk on my own. Later it was confirmed that I had MS. The only treatment I received was the cortisone drip while I was in hospital. Subsequently I have had 3 relapses over the years until my last relapse when I was submitted to the Donald Gordon hospital in Parktown Johannesburg. I was introduced to interferon 1B (Rebif®) but could not cope with the “side effects”.

I am now using glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®) and have been administering same for 6 months and do not experience any side effects. I am able to continue with an absolutely normal life and truly believe and know that I am a lot more active than most non-MS persons.

I read the article which appears on your website titled First South African Women with MS conquers Mt Kilimanjaro. I know it is inspiring for all fellow MS patients to see and read what other PwMS have been able to achieve. This gives us all a feeling of hope knowing that it does not mean that we cannot continue with our daily activities. This is especially the case where sport or any other activity plays an important part of our daily life.

What I am actually quite interested in to share with you is that I started cycling (mountainbiking) a little more than 4 (four) years ago. This has changed my world. I truly enjoy the daily activity riding my bike whether it be for training or competing in a race. When I am unable to do so I attend the local gym for a spinning session, particularly in the winter time. To date I have completed the following cycling and MTB events to name but a few:
1x        Argus
5x        94.7 Cycle Challenge
2x        IMANA WILD RIDE (4 day MTB event)
2x        SABIE EXPERIENCE (4 day MTB event)
2x        SANI2C (3 day MTB event)
1x        ABSA CAPE EPIC (8 day MTB event)

I also enjoy running and like to compete in 10km, 15km and 21km events.

The only reason I wish to share the above information with you is because I am truly blessed to be in a position to be able to take part in these events and activities.

It really was the website article that led to me sending  my story to show people living with MS that when you keep on looking after yourself you should still be able to do most of the things we have done in the normal scope of things!  In my case even much greater things I would not have necessarily have done! I only played golf when I was much younger. It was only after being diagnosed for MS at 24 that I have taken up MTB (mountainbiking) at 30 and started running at 34. I now have a total in excess of 115 medals of events I have completed.

I truly am blessed with the body that I have been given and because I am able to complete all of these events. I am keen to find out if there is an organization or a group of people who show support to people living with MS who take part in sporting activities similar to those that I do? (Contact Edmund at inland@multiplesclerosis.co.za – we will forward your mail to him.)