Long journey to overcome illness

A Whanganui woman is taking a $95,000 trip to Russia in the hopes she will overcome a crippling disease.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has consumed Briar Novis’ life. She struggles to walk, her eyesight has deteriorated and she is constantly tired.

But getting the treatment she needs in Russia, the cheapest option she could find, should help the 43-yearold to get her life back.

Novis said she used to walk or run to work and she was outgoing but MS brought an end to that.

‘‘I can’t walk very well. ‘‘My skin goes numb. I get a burning sensation. I just feel like I’m really sunburnt.’’

Multiple sclerosis is a disorder of the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

Symptoms include difficulties with balance, chronic pain and problems with speech and swallowing.

Novis uses a four-legged walker to help her move around at home but she said she preferred to use a cane in public so she didn’t feel like an old lady.

She cut back her hours at a supermarket she had been working at for 27 years as it was too hard working fulltime, she said.

Novis wants to get treatment so she can work more and exercise again after six years of suffering.

‘‘There’s nothing in New Zealand. All they can give me is medication that slows it down but it doesn’t stop it.’’

She has already booked the operation in Moscow for a stem cell transplant that should halt the disease.

But at $95,000, which includes operation costs, flights and accommodation for her carer, her mother, she fears she might have to mortgage her house.

‘‘If I have to, I have to.’’ The treatment, known as haematopoietic stem cell transplant is not available in New Zealand.

Multiple Sclerosis NZ is lobbying the Government to make it available here.

Novis is fundraising through Givealittle but she will go regardless, as she wants her life back on track.

She isn’t alone in her quest to get treatment in Russia.

Upper Hutt man Warwick Hollebone is also prepared to mortgage his house so he can get the treatment.

Hollebone’s diagnosis came 16 years ago but his health has deteriorated in the past year.

His biggest frustration is not being able to play with his rugby-loving 5-year-old son.

Information from Multiple Sclerosis NZ suggests about one in 1000 Kiwis have MS and women are affected about three times more often than men.

It also said MS was more prevalent in Caucasians than any other racial group.