A COUPLE from Ludgershall have raised more than £1,500 after setting up a fundraiser to help buy a mobility scooter for their daughter who has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Fiona and Glenn Wressell launched the GoFundMe page last week, asking for help to raise the money needed for the technology. They hoped to help save the independence of their eldest daughter, Melissa, who was diagnosed with MS nearly three years ago, on her 30th birthday.

Fiona wrote: “Melissa was an active lady, enjoying travelling, wild swimming and all manner of social activities. She became ill whilst travelling to the last five countries across the Baltic states and Scandinavia to hit her 30 countries before 30.”

She continued: “Since that devastating episode Melissa has received great treatment which has reduced the progression of the disease, though, as with many MS sufferers she encounters frequent episodes of extreme fatigue. She has had home adaptations to assist her, but she still struggles with episodes of pain and spasticity issues, and therefore limited mobility.”

Speaking to the Advertiser, Melissa, now 32, spoke about her diagnosis and how the condition has affected her daily life.

“It was quite a shock,” she said.

“At first I just didn’t believe it, I thought I’d been misdiagnosed. Then I eventually felt relieved to have an answer. I didn’t realise though just how much the MS would impact my life.”

Melissa, who now lives in Eastleigh with her partner and works in adult health and social care, continued: “People kept saying to me that they knew someone who has MS and that they’re completely fine, which was actually very unhelpful because I built up completely unrealistic expectations of getting my life back to normal. Everyone’s MS journey is unique.

“MS affects almost every part of my life. I’m extremely fatigued most of the time, I’m in acute pain every single day, my legs often don’t cooperate, such that they feel wooden and immovable.

“Carrying out a simple task like vacuuming the house, which I used to take for granted, absolutely wipes me out now. If I have social plans I have to also factor in recovery time.”

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Before diagnosis, Melissa had got really into running, and was usually swimming a couple of times a week and going to the gym as well.

“Now, I can barely walk for more than five minutes, at a slow pace, before I need to take a break,” she said.

Melissa said she was “really happy and very grateful” when her parents asked if she would mind them setting up the fundraiser, which has now exceeded its goal, with excess funds to be donated to the MS Society to help others living with the condition.

“The response has been overwhelming to be honest!” said Melissa.

“I’ve been really touched by people’s generosity and kindness.

“It just means the world to me.”

For more information, or to make a donation, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mobility-scooter-for-ms-sufferer.

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