Personal Perspective: Danielle

by Andrea Svendsen

To look at Danielle Frost you wouldn't guess anything was wrong.

But spend some time with her and you begin to notice something isn't quite right.

She forgets things, there's a slight stumble to her walk, sometimes she can't control her hands as she'd like and the vision in one eye comes and goes.

Ms Frost has Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects more than 4000 New Zealanders.

It attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), resulting in speech and visual disorders, tremors, lack of co-ordination and paralysis.

The disease gets worse over time, but no one can predict its progress.

Some people only suffer from mild symptoms, such as numbness in the limbs, while others experience total paralysis and loss of vision.

There is no cure and only limited treatment is available.

Ms Frost was diagnosed with MS in 1993 after going to the doctor complaining of a "numb feeling" in her arms.

She didn't know anything about MS, but quickly learnt as her body was attacked.

Once a full-time motor mechanic, Ms Frost can now only manage a part-time job teaching mechanics at the Manukau Institute of Technology.

She says most of her students are aware of her condition because they see that on some days she can't do simple things like thread a nut and bolt.

Fatigue is a big problem and she has to take a daily nap. She's also unable to drive because her concentration lapses and she no longer has good peripheral vision.

Ms Frost is aware that one day she could be completely paralysed, but remains hopeful her MS will not progress that far.

Because she's partially bind in one eye, she is fearful of totally losing her vision.

"I just don't think I could cope with that, but I try not to think about it. You have to remain positive."

Most people are dianosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 40, but it can strike anybody at anytime.

MS is not contagious or hereditary and every year 200 more New Zealanders fall victim to it.

This week is MS Awareness Week. Its aim is to raise money for MS sufferers and their families. To make a $10 donation ph 0900 937 267. The donation will be charged automatically to your phone bill.

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