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Down under upside down

I had been an active kid, a gymnast, and then a nurse. I remember one day playing basketball with our youth group kids when I couldn't judge how close the ball was flying through the air. I didn't think much of it, or the pain behind my eye at the time until a couple of years later, I also had a weird dizzy spell lasting a good week.
It wasn't until I experienced blurred vision in one eye leading to seeing an ophthalmologist at a Sydney hospital, (I lived about 5hrs away at the time) that they suggested that I might have MS... six weeks later thanks to some colleagues in the medical profession I had my diagnosis.
15 yrs on and I'm a different person, little older, hopefully wiser, but MS has copied away at who I was, I've had relapses, though none very sensory, no pins and needles or numbness, but hemiplegic migraines. It's these that have really affected me. I've had 10 admissions to rehab and had to learn to walk every time. People tell me I'm strong and brave, but I can't see any other through! Except by prayer (which often involves wrestling with God) and loss of hard work! Only for that hard work to lose motivation for exercise and good food obs in well and back at normal life!
I also get a bit of fatigue and heat intolerance, I can't work full time, but I'm now finding I still want a career, wound and clinic nursing, I'm married, something I never thought would happen, I still love gymnastics as a coach and judge, and I love camping and 4wd with my husband, just goes to show that life can still be had! Definitely an upside down life that what I thought or planned but it's life as I know it!
Graduating my graduate certificate in community and wound nursing

  1. ,
    Thank you for sharing your inspiring story (and lovely picture!).
    It sounds like you are doing well and have adjusted well to all life has thrown at you.
    ~Doreen (Team Member)

    1. Hi, !

      It sounds like MS sure has tried to give you a run for your money, but you never let it have the final say! And I hear what you are saying about people calling you brave or a warrior. I know how they mean it and that it's a compliment, but what choice do any of us really have when dealing with tough times? We just have to, you know, get through it. But that said, I think all of us can think of a person we know that just kind of gives up when the going gets tough. And, it sounds like you have not ever given up, even when MS throws its worst at you. But, having to go to rehab multiple times couldn't have been easy.

      I love that you are able to keep staying involved in the sport you love and pass your knowledge and skills on to the next generation. And I love that you and your husband can enjoy the outdoors! I don't know if you plan on scaling any more mountains in the future, but if you choose not to hike them, I suppose you can always just enjoy some 4wd adventures in the backwoods for a good adrenaline rush!

      Thanks for sharing a bit of your life with the community!

      Best, Erin, Team Member.

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