Having retired from a professional basketball career in his 20's and enjoying a successful corporate career in sales and marketing, Josh Dickins thought he had it all figured out.
It was 2014 and Josh had just moved into a new home. He was attempting to piece together a desk on a warm Sunday, thinking he would be done in 20 minutes.
Three hours later… Josh was sitting on the floor, exhausted, unable to stand, overheated and numb down his whole right side.
After resting, he attempted a short walk… and fell, twice!!!
“Unbeknownst to me, MS had decided it was time to fully introduce itself into my world,” says Josh.
When he looks back, he had experienced a trail of symptoms that came and went, such as fatigue, numbness and loss of balance. Josh now regards the building of his desk on that warm Sunday as a beacon of hope.
“It reminds me that with persistence, hard work and a resilient attitude, I can own and manage my MS, and not the other way around”
With a positive mindset, Josh focuses a great deal on health, diet, mindfulness, exercise and lifestyle changes to manage his condition. It has been six years since his diagnosis and considering he was told he would be in a wheel chair within six months at the time of his diagnosis, he says he now concentrates on what he can control and is happy to be living an active life again.
When Josh was first diagnosed in 2015, a nurse at St Vincent's Hospital recommended MS Services.
“At the time, being newly diagnosed with MS, this was probably the best advice I was given. I had a million questions and this gave me a great starting point.
"The website was great as it was unobtrusive, and I could take my own time to get comfortable with what they offered and, more importantly, to realise I was not alone in this fight.”
The MS website is one of many sources of information and support available to Josh and over 25,000 Australians living with multiple sclerosis.
“I often go through the website to read and watch all of the new information they provide. It is fantastic to hear directly from the experts regarding treatments, research, as well as, general living tips. It's a great place to connect with other people in your situation.”
This year, the 2021 MS Walk Run + Roll VIC is on World MS Day.
World MS Day brings the global MS community together to share stories, raise awareness and campaign with everyone affected by multiple sclerosis. For Josh, World MS Day means a lot.
"I love the awareness it generates and means myself and everyone else with MS does not have to face it alone. Just knowing people care goes a long way."
By fundraising, you are helping to connect people with wonderful MS Services, including MS Connect (our free helpline for people with MS, their family and carers) and MS Nurse Advisors (providing education around treatment and advice on symptom management).
"MS is not something you want to face alone... To be honest, it is these people who are the true heroes and I want them to know how much it means to me. Some people do not have this which is what makes MS Limited so great as they are there for everyone. Always someone to talk to, we are in this together!"
