Summer-like weather greeted Calgarians gearing up yesterday to help raise money for a debilitating disease.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease that impacts people of all demographics, and affects more than 11,000 Albertans.
Patrice Nedinis was diagnosed with MS seven years ago. “You never know what to expect with it,” she said.
Her son and daughter joined her and about 25,000 others in the 19th annual Walk for MS at Prince’s Island Park.
“It affects every aspect of my life, including my kids,” Nedinis said of the illness. “They’ve had to learn how to live and cope with it too.”
The walk is meant to raise both awareness and funding for MS research, said co-ordinator Allison Sayles — and they’ve got big goals for this year’s event.
“We’re hoping to surpass last year’s $900,000,” she said. “We’re all here because of someone we know.”
MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system that can occur at any age. It affects vision, hearing, memory, balance and mobility. Researchers have not yet discovered a cure.
Daughter Tamara Nedinis is focused on the positive side of her mother’s disease.
“It has definitely brought us closer as a family,” she said. “It’s brought our extended family together. It’s made us stronger.”
