By Press Release
A woman suffering from Multiple Sclerosis cycled around the Island last weekend as part of a 5,000-mile expedition to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.
Brave Lis van Lynden set off on her journey around the coastline of Great Britain in May after being diagnosed with the disease in 2013. The mammoth charity ride also takes in the islands of Orkney and Shetland, the Outer Hebrides and Skye.
Lis, whose aunt Susie lives in Yarmouth, explained: “In early March 2013, a shooting pain started from the top of my right arm and went down towards my hand. I just put it down to sleeping badly on my arm. I don’t usually run to the GP but that morning, I most certainly did, as I found out that I had lost all feeling on the right side of my body, whilst taking a shower. This terrified me, but even more so when the GP told me to go straight to the local hospital. I will never forget the walk to Charing Cross Hospital.
“I also had chronic headaches building up to this and felt extremely ill. I knew that something was wrong. After all sorts of tests were done and a few months passed by and coupled with an anxious waiting time, I was finally diagnosed with MS on July 8.
“A lot of people have to wait a lot longer than this. Some don’t get diagnosed for years. It took a further six years for me to know how to handle my MS and keep it at bay and not panic! Whilst it has completely changed my life, it’s also taught me to appreciate everything we have around us.
“It has helped enormously in having an amazing MS team surround me, including the MS Trust. I think this is vital to have, hence why I am here.
“When talking to other people with MS, this is not always the case. I have a great MS nurse as well as a neurologist and feel very lucky to have this. Wouldn’t it be incredible if all MS patients were able to state this though!”
Lis, who has a JustGiving page, is doing the ride unsupported and solo, although one or two friends and family are joining in on small stretches of the journey for a few days at a time.
Mal Butler