Hi, my name is Margot, and I would like to introduce to you a fantastic friend of mine from childhood, Ena West. She is a mom of two beautiful girls and a life partner to Ian West. We want to raise funds to try and stop or, at the very least, slow the progress of Multiple diseases, Sclerosis (MS).

She turned the big 40 last year and was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting type of MS in 2014, just before her 33rd birthday. Sadly, since August / September last year, the disease has become more aggressive and invasive, and her independence is now severely compromised. Multiple sclerosis has caused many lesions throughout her nervous system, from her brain down her spinal cord. This damage has affected parts of her brain, visible through her symptoms. She is unable to walk unaided. She requires a wheelchair as the spasticity in her limbs causes uncontrolled involuntary movement precluding her from any normal functions of daily life, which so many of us take for granted.

She often struggles with blurred vision swallowing, including most liquids and water. The spasticity leads to episodes of falling out of the bed and other excitements, making up a long list of different challenges. Unfortunately, she also developed epilepsy due to her brain's damaged nerves and parts, and her vision is deteriorating progressively. One of her biggest psychological challenges is that Ena has been unable to work or earn an income since she collapsed last year in early September, and she feels like a burden in more ways than one. She has recently been made redundant based on her medical incapacitation. The costs of these medications, frequent hospitalization, scans, physio, and occupational therapy are astronomical, not to mention the emotional rollercoaster for the family.

Her husband, Ian, runs a small family business in the events and corporate branding space. Like so many other companies globally, they were affected terribly by the impact of the Covid pandemic. The lockdowns have further affected our ability to fund our financial obligations related to health insurance and her treatment. They prioritize healthcare over even small outlays for those important memory-making moments, like family celebrations i.e kids birthdays.

I know that they are not alone, and many people struggle globally. Your time taken for reading their story, praying for Ena's health and monetary contribution will be highly appreciated. My prayer and wish for Ena are to be focusing only on getting better and being the mom and partner she so desperately would like to be.