NOTHING is holding back a Stratford woman with multiple sclerosis from completing a 150km charity walk.
Danni Jones is challenging herself to walk the distance throughout July despite not being able to walk at all for three months at the end of last year.
The 30-year-old was diagnosed with the incurable disease in October last year but had been experiencing worrying symptoms for much longer.
Danni said: “It was an almost four-year battle to get someone to take me seriously. My symptoms have varied over the years. At first, it was numbness of legs, eye movements, and migraines. Since then, I have had three ‘stroke-like’ episodes, optic neuritis – blindness in my left eye – and my eye movements have become extreme and affect me all day every day.
“I have a full body tremor. In my last relapse I couldn’t walk anymore and relied on a wheelchair. I have significantly reduced sensation in my bottom and bladder. I self-catheter my bladder every day and also flush my bowels too, to try and help this. I am weak and clumsy. I pick up chest infections regularly, I have extreme fatigue and low mood and I still sometimes rely on my walking stick on days when I am very tired.”
Since her diagnosis, Danni has had to have her home modified to accommodate her disability and has carers come out several times a week when her husband is at work. But despite her challenging circumstances, she is looking forward to completing her 150km walk.
She continued: “The thing I’m looking forward to most is taking some time out for myself. I’m a mum to two young boys, Ace, four, and Laine, two so it’s actually nice to have some time for me, where I’m responsible for only myself. Also, some light exercise and keeping my body moving will help me long-term, as when I don’t move my body, my symptoms become worse.”
The MS-UK Walk is a new fundraising challenge from the charity MS-UK. Fundraisers pledge a distance to walk during the month of July and raise cash by being sponsored by family and friends.
Danni added: “Now I am able to, I want to give back and raise awareness. And as soon as I heard about the charity and what they do, I knew I had to take on this challenge.”
To find out more visit www.ms-uk.org
