MULTIPLE Sclerosis (MS) South Africa KZN made a generous donation to ensure Oliver Sinclair, a talented para surfer, can compete abroad in the Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Championships.
Sinclair is part of the team of 13 surfers living with disabilities who will represent South Africa at the event. The Hillcrest resident was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in January 2004 after he lost the use of his legs and his speech.
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Chairman of MS KZN, Dee Munks said the NPO was lucky to be blessed by Lotto this year.
“Sinclair is one of our members and is certainly an inspiration to us all. We wanted to honour his achievements and wish him well for the upcoming competition,” said Munks.
Munks described Multiple Sclerosis as a dreadful disease that, apart from loss of the ability to walk, very often there are silent or hidden symptoms that wreak havoc on the body. No one is aware of the enormity of suffering that these folk have to deal with on a daily basis.
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“It can strike at any age and there is no cure. These silent symptoms can range from painful spasms, the feeling that an army of red ants have invaded your skin, optic neuritis and Trigeminal neuralgia, a sharp, shooting pain across the face, blurred or double vision, bladder and bowel incontinence, strange sensory changes, severe pain, a burning sensation, loss of feeling in the hands, legs or feet, depression and anxiety, cognitive difficulties such as decision making and brain fog, to name a few,” explained Munks.
According to Munks, all of these take up an enormous amount of energy. What the average person can do in minutes, a person with MS may take an hour to complete and then be physically and mentally exhausted.
“For Oli to be doing this, even with help, it is physically and mentally challenging and to be commended. We salute you Oli,” said a proud Munks.
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