Say yes and wear your wedding dress for MS
A former Rutherglen Reformer reporter who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis weeks before she got married is urging other women to wear their wedding gowns for a special charity event.
Carla Callaghan, who worked for the Reformer between 2009 and 2012, was given the news that she had relapsing remitting MS in June 2013 after suffering sensory issues, balance problems and fatigue for more than a year.
She took part in the event, Wear Your Wedding Dress for MS, which aims to raise funds for MS Society Scotland and highlight the neurological condition which affects 11,000 Scots.
Now working as a freelance journalist, Carla also plans to raise awareness and funds for the condition with her extra special charity event at St Bride’s Pastoral Centre, Bothwell, on Saturday, April 30.
Carla who also works as a press and PR officer for MS Society Scotland, roped in her friends Caroline Ryan, Sophie Thomas, Claire Flanagan and Mairi Valentine to wear wedding dresses loaned to them by Bijoux Bridal for some launch pictures at Dalziel Park in Motherwell recently.
The 31 year old said: “We got some funny looks walking through Dalziel Park, and it makes me so excited for the actual event to come around.
“I wanted to plan a night which would be fun, unique, and most importantly raise money and highlight that MS is a young person’s condition, with most people diagnosed in their 20s and 30s – usually at the age when people are making big career choices and maybe thinking about marriage or kids.
“I hope we can raise lots of money for the MS Society and I am sure Bothwell residents will never have seen so many brides in one place at the same time!”
Carla, who appeared on This Morning last May to raise awareness on World MS Day, added: “It’s a girls’ only night and we hope everyone will turn out either wearing a wedding dress or glam up for a night of dancing, raffles and much more.
“I’d also like to thank Bijoux Bridal for allowing us to wear their gowns and Dalziel Park in Motherwell for letting five brides have their pictures taken to launch this great event.”
Figures show that most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 to 40, but it can affect younger and older people too.
Roughly three times as many women have MS as men.
The condition is complex, and has many symptoms. Most people won’t experience them all, certainly not at the same time.
Symptoms might include fatigue, vision problems and difficulties with walking, but MS is different for everyone.
Carla’s night is already a complete sell out, with ladies eager to do their part to help.
Go to www.mssociety.org.uk/ near-me/branches/ms-societyscotland for more information on the disease and the work of MS Society Scotland.