Meet legendary Jess.
She raised over $2400 last year and she’s back challenging herself to 50km this May.
“The May 50K means everything to me. When I got sick the only thing that got me up and moving again was running and walking. And so, through The May 50K I was able to challenge myself to do that whereas before I was more sporadic in my training. My fitness got better. It even improved my boxing.”
Her diagnosis came in 2018 after blurred vision concerned her and she was encouraged by a colleague to go to the optometrist.
Jess says, “I’m an analyst so I thought it was due to staring at spreadsheets.”
From there, Jess was referred to an ophthalmologist who then referred her to a neurologist.
She was given an MRI and lumbar puncture which confirmed she has multiple sclerosis.
Jess also experienced brain fog and foot drop, which involves difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot, which can causes challenges while walking.
Thankfully, due to treatment Jess’s vision has returned but she still struggles daily with fatigue, extreme temperature intolerance and difficulty finding the right words.
Jess says MS changed her life.
“I changed my entire lifestyle. I moved to Queensland where the temperature is more stable – it’s just the right weather. I quit my job and took six months off to run and heal.”
“I was doing things sporadically but still mourning my old life, thinking why couldn’t I think the way I did before? Until The May 50K came around when I realised I can run and walk through it.”
“I love that it raises money for MS research. If there’s a possibility I don’t have to live with this for the rest of my life I couldn’t be happier.”
That’s why we're here – to make a brighter future for those living with MS.
“That’s the major thing for me is I never understood I could push myself like that.”
“I wanted to prove that I could do it.”
Jess is motivated to put MS where it belongs, behind us.
“If someone is at the beginning of their journey and we’re able to find a cure, it doesn’t have to be a horrible sentence – it can be something that’s fixable. I’m pushing hard for it.”
