Overcoming MS challenges and embracing life’s possibilities: Julie’s story

'We found out I had MS by accident, I just had really bad headaches and that was when I had an MRI and CT, but then it took 12 months of testing before we knew what it was.’

Avid runner Julie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2013 and was frightened at first that she would need to give up running.

‘I kept telling everyone it’s not MS because I’m still able to walk and run. I didn’t believe I had it until they told me. Then you look back and you realise that’s why you had the numbness and why you didn’t feel generally well. But if you don’t have the knowledge of what MS can look like and if you don’t tick the obvious symptom boxes, it’s easy to assume you don’t have it,’ Julie says.

‘When you don’t have any experience with MS and don’t know anyone with MS you of course go worst case scenario.'

Defying MS, one stride at a time

‘I thought was the end of the world at the time but since I was diagnosed, I’ve done three marathons and one 50k.’

Fatigue and heat sensitivity are Julie’s main symptoms, which can sometimes mean adjusting her plans.

‘The fact that I was still able to run and do everything I want to do was a comfort. Sometimes we had to make alternative arrangements, but MS hasn’t stopped me from achieving everything I want to.

‘Fatigue can really put a handbrake on things. I know if I’m going to have a late night, it will wipe me out for a week. I also don’t run while it’s hot, I’ll pick the times I run to avoid overheating.

‘Training for marathons takes its toll, I can’t do the long distance but I’m happy with 5km and 10km here and there.

‘Some nights I’m so fatigued I’ll go to sleep at 6pm, just because my body feels heavy and I can’t function, so my family are used to that,’ Julie says.

A writer with a passion for history

Julie grew up in small country town, Rheola, in Central Victoria. Each year the town delivers the state’s longest running mixed sports charity event, the Rheola Charity Carnival – to raise money for two local district health services.

Also passionate about history, Julie has decided to document the town’s incredible achievement, to preserve Rheola’s past for future generations.

‘Since 1871, the town has every year (except for COVID) tirelessly raised money for community health services. My passion for the past has led me to document this history,’ Julie says.

‘My ultimate goal is to publish a book on the 150-year history of this event, not only to document the achievements of the town but to be able to share and celebrate this history with people. Achieving this dream will see the completion of four years of research and work. It will be my first (and hopefully not last!) published work, dedicated to my passion of history.’

Completing the project proved to be a bigger endeavour than Julie had initially thought. As community interest in her work grew, she realised she would need to put additional resources into the book.

Her MS Go for Gold Scholarship means Julie will be able to cover the cost of a professional editing and formatting service, typesetting, graphic design and printing costs.

‘I want to show that having MS does not stop you from pursing your passions.’