My MS Journey as a support person

2023 was the year our lives changed, we were preparing for our youngest daughters 21st, she said Mum, my eyes a bit blurry, I might get something from the chemist – I said, don’t muck around go to the doctor, off to the doctor she went, who then sent her straight to the eye clinic, a round of steroids, an MRI & a lumbar puncture, revealed that she had MS.

No you can’t have MS, you’re too young – well apparently not!!

There are kids in South Canterbury as young as 16 with it.

Lisa is lucky she lives a pretty normal life, she works full time & doesn’t let a lot stop her, she mainly gets sore legs, pretty tired sometimes & that’s when she has to stop, slow down & rest. She has an infusion every 6 weeks, which her work has been very supportive about, she takes half a day off to get her magic juice & I go every time with her to keep her company. The nurses at the Oncology ward are a wonderful bunch of humans, they are so passionate & caring.

Her Dad & I are her biggest advocates, as well as her partner Will.

I joined the MS Board in 2024 to help spread the word about MS & to set up a group for the younger members that have MS & might be still working but can’t attend the current morning teas & lunches that are on offer for other members. We had our first coffee date on Sat 12 Sept at the complex & we had 4 people come which was great.

So if you know of someone that might like to go out for a coffee & cake with some other MS clients – let Fiona Pierce our Community Advisor know & she will hook you up with the group.