A Gatehouse woman living with progressive MS is to stage a special fundraiser in the town – thanks to her mum.
Ju Clear will co-host a garden drop-in day on Sunday at her mother Mary’s home in aid of the MS Society.
She hopes the donations-only event at 16 High Street will boost support groups locally.
Mum-of-four Ju, 49, who is upbeat about life despite crippling pain and muscle weakness, said: “I don’t want pity.
“I feel having MS gives me a super power to prioritise joy.
“But I can’t do a fundraiser on my own – so my mum has offered her garden.
“It’s a beautiful peaceful place with lots of flower displays and growing vegetables – it’s just amazing. We will be raising money for research into MS because as yet there is no cure.
“Our event is called Come and have a Neb – a nosey about – for MS.”
Ju also wants to raise awareness of the need for a specialist facility in the region.
Hundreds of people living locally are thought to have the often debilitating condition.
She said: “We don’t have an MS therapy centre in Dumfries and Galloway – everything is in the central belt.
“My neurologist told me that there are more than 500 people in the region living with MS yet we have nothing here.
“I want to reinvigorate the MS groups in the area to help raise awareness of MS and its impact on people.”
Ju was diagnosed around 10 years ago but with hindsight reckons the first symptoms appeared in her twenties. Research indicates that MS is not inherited but there is a small increased risk in families of people with MS.
She said: “I’m the third generation in my family to have it although they say it is not hereditary.
“My dad, two aunties and a cousin on my father’s side of the family all had it.
“I also have an identical twin who does not have MS so there’s so much research needing done.
“My MS is progressive and I’m on now my third round of medication.
“I’m also on anti-depressants to improve my serotonin levels.
“That helps with the burning neuropathic pain which feels like someone is burning you with a hot iron.
“I have spasticity too – a loss of muscle control and stiffness – and cognitive impairment which means I forget things easily.
“I also need to use two sticks when walking on uneven ground.”
Ju added: “I’m a mum – but a mum who has to look after herself in order to function.
“They all provide a great network of understanding and all that keeps me positive.”
