Last year, Maxime Nuijtemans (26) suddenly saw nothing with her right eye. That turned out to be temporary, but it happened again with Vastenavend. After examination, the diagnosis followed: MS. And now in September she is participating in the MS Motion sponsored run with two friends and colleagues. “To raise money, but also to make the condition more known.”
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They have known each other for a year: Maxime, her colleague Ramona de Klerk (34) and practice supervisor Brigitte van Nijnatten (46). Together they work at Woonzorgcentrum Stuijvenburgh in Bergen op Zoom. “I supervise special needs students of all ages,” says Brigitte. “Each with their own backpack, but a story like Maxime’s is extra intense. I didn’t even have to think about whether I wanted to participate.”
MS is an abbreviation for Multiple Sclerosis. This is a disease of the central nervous system. Because something is wrong in the immune system, the body attacks the protective layer around the nerves. This exposes nerves, causing them to transmit signals less well or even not at all. This causes people with MS to suddenly suffer from loss of function or paralysis.
Bron: MS-fonds
Life changed
“26 is quite young to be diagnosed,” explains Maxime. “I was shocked, I was instantly blind – although fortunately that was temporary. You will not die from MS as a disease, but the consequences can make life extremely difficult. For example, before the diagnosis I was a real bon vivant. Now I consciously choose things. If I go to a festival, I take it easy for the rest of the week. There are good days and bad days. But I can’t complain.”
You will not die from MS, but the consequences can make life very difficult.
Take good care of body
She changed her life: she started eating differently and now sports four times a week. “There is also someone with MS living here in Stuijvenburg who is now in a wheelchair. He always says: if you take good care of your body, you will get it back. So I do too. Although the fear that a new attack could come at any moment is always present.”
To relieve her body, she will soon be working in another department of the residential care center. “Less physical work, but still working with people. Because I never see myself leaving the healthcare profession.”
The fear that a new attack could come at any moment is always there.
Tell the world
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At first she only tells family and acquaintances about the disease. “I thought: I’m not going to tell the rest of the world that I’m chronically ill, because I don’t want people to look at me differently.” But her bond with others is actually getting closer. For example with colleague Ramona. “We can talk to each other well, we understand each other,” says Ramona, who has also been ill for a long time. “It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
‘I’m so thankful’
To tell everyone this summer was quite a step for Maxime. “I do it because there needs to be more awareness for MS. When I say it, people often ask what it is. More studies are also needed, because there is actually nothing for this condition yet.” Then she saw the MS Motion sponsored run, an opportunity to take action. “I took the plunge and shared my story on social media. I received so many positive messages, it was like a rollercoaster.”
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Get money
The ladies first set their goal at 1100 euros, but that soon turned out to be too low. “I have no words for how nice the people are”, Maxime expresses gratitude. “Aunt Louise soon participated with a nice amount, but also other companies. People I don’t know. I am really proud of this and so grateful.”
If we eventually collect two thousand euros, that would be great.
MS Motion
The three ladies from Berg are currently practicing to participate in the sponsor run on September 10. “We are going to run ten kilometers in Utrecht. We have three hours for that. We thought: we’re going to do that for a while, but it’s a bigger challenge than expected. Nevertheless, we do it with great pleasure”, says Maxime with a smile. “The eight kilometers without effort is now possible, so I will also make it to ten kilometers, albeit with some pains. If we can eventually raise two thousand euros together, that would be great.”
Do you want to help Maxime, Ramona and Brigitte raise money for research into MS? You can donate here.
More Bergen residents:
2023-08-22 09:23:11
#Maxime #Ramona #Brigitte #action
