Multiple sclerosis hasn’t slowed Wendy Johnson down

Born in London, England, Wendy Johnson recalls moving to Kent, in southeast England, at the age of about four years, before emigrating as an adult to Australia.

Planned high-speed rail links combined with a marvellous warm holiday in Australia motivated Ms Johnson to join her sister in the country down under.

Ms Johnson is now living in Purnong, a small, picturesque river community, about a two-hour drive from Adelaide and a 15-minute drive from Mannum.

Purnong is surrounded by farming properties and is well-known for growing and exporting onions and potatoes around the world.

It is famous for its dark sky viewing platform, which overlooks the town, and it also features the narrowest crossing of the Murray River, with a free, 24-hour ferry service on hand.

“I love living in Purnong,” Ms Johnson said.

“I’m so lucky to have my husband Trevor, and the community is so supportive – if I need help, I only need to ask.”

Ms Johnson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis years ago, but it hasn’t slowed her down.

MS is an ailment that can affect the brain and spinal cord, potentially triggering a wide range of symptoms, including difficulties with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation, or balance.

Unfortunately, it’s a life-long condition that can cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild.

“Before my MS came along, I was a Murray Bridge Family Day Care child educator for five years, looking after preschool and school children from my home in Tailem Bend,” Ms Johnson said.

“I keep busy, and I love my indoor bowls.

“I used to play before I worked for Family Day Care, but it got too hard to do when I had children in tow.”

Ms Johnson and her husband were actively involved with their community; both were members of the Lions Club of Tailem Bend.

Ms Johnson, at one stage, was secretary and Mr Johnson was president.

Both were also involved in the establishment of the local community gym.

“When I was diagnosed with MS, I gave day care away, I was scared I would fall over and hurt one of the kids,” Ms Johnson said.

“After a period of adjustment, I became a volunteer at the Tailem Community Centre, teaching mature-aged students the computer.

“I even went back to playing indoor bowls, but when we moved to Purnong, I didn’t volunteer in Tailem anymore, because of the distance for me to drive each week, so I gave it away.”

Ms Johnson is also supported by Murray Bridge based, Genuine Support Services Australia.

“After questioning a caring friend who works for them, it became obvious – it was an easy decision to make use of their support,” she said.

“It’s been fantastic, I plan to keep using their services of transport, home help, as well as the social support I receive from my regular support workers.

“I plan to remain in my own home, as active as I possibly can, for as long as I can with the help of the kind people of GSSA,” Ms Johnson said.

Over the last three years, Ms Johnson has been walking and raising awareness for MS through the May 50k Challenge.

Ms Johnson and her teammate, Casandra Lazdins, have formed an alliance and call themselves “NONGBRA”, a combination of the areas where they live.

“This year my goal is to raise over $300 and to walk 100 kilometres in the month of May,” she said.

Over the last three years Ms Johnson has raised $3401.96 and climbing.

Wendy Johnson is a positive and motivated person, who knows that the money she raises contributes to life-changing research into the prevention and treatments of MS.

One day she hopes they will find a cure.

• Donate: www.themay50k.org.

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