Aidan Ferguson, from Belleek who is riding in a sponsored cycle to raise funds for MS
BELLEEK father of two, Aidan Ferguson (39), MS sufferer who was featured in the Herald recently is backing the MS Society’s ‘Treat Me Right’ campaign.
It was launched last week as part of MS Week 2014 (28 April – 4 May).
It is believed there are some 700 sufferers resident in the Western Trust area, with hundreds of these from Fermanagh.
The thrust of the MS campaign is there are drugs available that can slow the progression of the disease but which are out of people’s reach.
Aidan currently injects himself daily to slow the progression of MS, and he hopes that new oral disease modifying drugs (in tablet form) will be available as soon as possible in Northern Ireland.
He first experienced MS symptoms in 2004 and, when these persisted, he was sent for an MRI scan.
But, he remains upbeat for the future.
“I’m excited by the prospect of new oral medicines and hope that people with MS in Northern Ireland won’t face delays in accessing these treatments. Ultimately, like many people with MS, I hope for a cure one day”.
He said the Mizen to Malin cycle challenge, on Friday, 20th June, was to show people that just because you have MS, it doesn’t have to be the end.
“I’m fitter than I’ve been in 15 years.”
Aidan is calling on the Health Department to ensure that everyone with MS in Northern Ireland can access the MS treatments and support they need.
Meanwhile, the MS spokesman explained that, while there are now nine MS drugs approved for use on the NHS, many with MS are not taking any treatment and are in the dark about the drugs that have the potential to alter the devastating impact of their condition.
Two new, innovative MS medicines have recently been approved for use on the NHS, and up to two more may follow within the next year.
“For the first time, many of these new drugs offer people the chance to take a pill rather than injections, which could significantly improve quality of life for many with the condition.”
These are licensed medicines for people with ‘relapsing MS’ that can reduce the frequency and severity of MS attacks and, in some cases, slow the progression of disability.
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