A morning tea to raise funds for local people living with multiple sclerosis was well-supported on Wednesday morning, in conjunction with World MS Day.
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The event, held at the Gunnedah PCYC, by Gunnedah MS Incorporated saw community members come together in support of MS.
More than $3000 was raised, with all funds used to support local people living with the condition, including subsidising medication costs, appointments, and scans, as well as any equipment they may need, such as wheelchairs.
Jenny Watterson gave an insight at the event of life with MS.
She was diagnosed with MS when she was 33.
“I started with pins and needles in my toes,” Jenny said.
“Over a week-and-a-half , it worked its way up to my waist.
“I was very lucky though within two weeks of the symptoms starting, I had a firm diagnosis,” she said.
“The main lesion was on my back, I had a few spots on my brain, but my back was the main thing.”
After working through medications to manage her symptoms, Jenny said “she is in a good place at the moment” and has been placed on two-yearly scans.
She still sees a weakness in her left side and extreme weather, especially heat, causes fatigue and further weakness in her left leg.
“Considering everything, I think I’m going really well,” she said.
Sairz Newton was invited to speak at the event to highlight that she too lives with MS. This was the first time Sairz had spoken about her condition.
“Every case is different, every person who suffers from MS is different,” she said.
“We all have medication, we all have symptoms, and we all have MS.
“Life with MS is not easy, there is the physical aspect, the fatigue and the symptoms; the burden on our loved ones; the emotional stress; and the financial burden – and the unknown of what the future holds for us,” Sairz said.
Two-and-half years ago Sairz was participating in a bootcamp session and was attempting a pushup, when she lost all sensation in one arm.
“Nothing from my shoulder, down to my elbow,” she said.
She went to her GP and was tested for MS straight away.
After all the tests, three months later she was officially diagnosed with MS.
“Here I am two-and-half-years later, stronger than ever,” Sairz said.
Sairz said the future scares her but said she is thankful for the local support from Gunnedah MS Incorporated.
A raffle was held to raise further funds for the cause.
