MS fundraising walk to get families moving in Dollard

BY ANDY BLATCHFORD

andy.blatchford@transcontinental.ca

When Andrea Hanson was three months pregnant, she had a loss of balance, felt dizzy and her feet went numb.

The Pierrefonds resident was told it was probably morning sickness.

But Hanson knew something was wrong.

After a series of medical tests, the mother-to-be was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Hanson has lived with the chronic neurological disease for five years. Her feet are still numb and she battles through bouts of fatigue, pain, vision impairments and numbness in her limbs.

On bad days she walks with a leg brace or a cane, but weekly intramuscular injections have slowed the disease’s progression.

“MS is very unpredictable,” said Hanson, whose daughter Cameron, 4, was born without complication. “I take it one day at a time.”

The emotional strain following her

diagnosis was another high hill to climb,

she said.

“It was a very dark period in my life,” she said. “I was anxious and stressed about the uncertainties of my condition.”

But the disease, which affects 75,000 Canadians, also shifted her focus to the importance of family and on enjoying all life’s moments.

“Psychologically, it changed life for the better,” said her husband Bernard How. “We pay attention to what is important in life. We don’t take things for granted. We focus a lot more on health and well-being.”

Hanson and her family are gearing up for the West Island Super Cities Walk for MS on April 29.They have taken part since her diagnosis to make a difference and support the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada to find a cure to the lifelong disease.

In the middle of the 2005 walk, Hanson had an attack caused by MS, but she persevered and courageously finished her event.

MS is most often diagnosed in young adults, aged 15 to 40, and affects mobility, balance, memory, vision and hearing.

Last year, the West Island edition of the walk attracted 420 participants and raised $151,000, its highest total, said MS Society volunteer Jennifer Pevec.

This year, they’re aiming higher, she said.

The West Island Super Cities Walk for MS kicks off at 10 a.m. from Ecole secondaire des Sources, 2900 Lake Rd., Dollard des Ormeaux on April 29. There are two routes, five and 10 kilometres, which are wheelchair, child and pet-friendly. The event ends around noon with refreshments and entertainment at the finish line.

Pre-registration will be held at the Dollard Civic Centre, 12001 De Salaberry Blvd. on April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. or at the starting line before the event.For more information check www.super

citieswalk.com or call 514-783-1022.?