Decades of service
Over nearly 40 years of involvement with multiple sclerosis in Taranaki, Mary Needs has met some extraordinary people.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness week, which ran this year from last Sunday until today, raises awareness and funds for those affected by the disease.
MS affects the central nervous system and symptoms can include severe fatigue, loss of coordination, blurred or double vision, and difficulty with walking, balance and hand control, as well as numbness, pins and needles or pain.
Needs, 85, will have been involved in MS Taranaki for 40 years come March, first beginning when she would go to those suffering from MS as a district nurse in the late 70s.
Needs said one particular lady, Betty, had inspired her.
Betty had three older children and one about eight years old.
‘‘She could talk, she had a beautiful smile, big brown eyes and she never complained,’’ Needs recalled.
‘‘We had to go to her three times a day. She really was the most amazing lady.’’
One day, a Hamilton MS field worker was there, and Needs thought they really needed a society in Taranaki.
It was formed in 1980, and Needs was a field worker for eight years.
In that time, the society bought a van, and Needs’ husband Peter would often take the people on outings.
She’s stayed involved over the years, except for a two-year period caring for Peter before his death, including a long period as president.
‘‘There was one day when I had 17 people in my garden for morning tea.’’
However, she’s planning to step down from the committee in March after her 40 years.
‘‘I think about them so much; I really do. They were special, special people.’’