Good day

My name is Byron van der Bank and here is my story.

I am a 53 year old white male, married and we have 4 sons I was diagnosed with MS in March 2008.

I have always been a Gym fanatic, competed in both Bodybuilding/Power Lifting, my PB 300Kg Squats, 200 Bench Press, 265 Dead Lift.

When my son Liam was a young boy he jumped onto my shoulders from behind and we both fell to the ground.

I told my wife no it cannot be, I should have absorbed the impact.

This is where my journey started for some answers.

My first stop was at an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Wilgers Hospital Pretoria, I went for a MRI waist down, my results came back and the surgeon said that my legs were 100% however he suggested that I go see a n Neurosurgeon and have a MRI done waste up.

I went to Dr Edward Gurnell at Little Company of Mary Hospital Pretoria.

Well my result came back, Dr told me after doing all the necessary test like probing below my knee act, had a Lumber Punch, after receiving the results I was told I had Multiple Sclerosis, something I have never heard of at the time.

I was kept in the hospital for a week receiving intravenous Cortisone treatment.

Well still fighting the fight obviously, I have never been on any meds, always trying to eat as healthy as I can.

From 2018 I have felt weakness in my legs, having to hold onto the rails when climbing stairs.

I can now only walk approximately 1km then I am done.

I am now investigating all my options and researching MS medication, unfortunately I am now of the opinion that is the only way to go to manage your MS whether RRMS ( Relapse-remitting Multiple Sclerosis) which I think I have or PPMS (Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis).

Keep on Fighting Warriors.

Thank you to Non for always being there for us, I for one salute you Non. Thank you for your service always.

Fluit fluit my storie is uit.