"My life is divided into two distinct halves. Before my MS diagnosis and now the after. In the beginning I imagined the after would be bleak. Full of limited opportunities, frustration, pain and fear. Yes, some of that is true but it can also be liberating and through the challenges you learn so much about yourself.

I used to be a workaholic. A creative but also a perfectionist. Terrible combination for burnout. Stress was my undoing, and it took losing my walking ability to acknowledge that my life had to change. At the time my husband Barry and I owned Opihi Vineyard, so that went on the market and we moved back into Timaru. Cue complete life change. I stopped working fulltime, discovered a passion for painting with acrylics, changed my diet, went onto an effective medication and turned to yoga and gentle exercise to help my body to remain strong.

Through it all MS South Canterbury gave me support and encouragement. Fiona has become more than a shoulder to cry on, she is my friend. She has seen me at my best and worst. The confused, bewildered and angry version as well as the accepting, calm and re-energised person I am becoming. It is taking time to grow into the after, Tracey. We have work still to do." Tracey

"I"m a father to 3 awesome children that range in age from 21 down to 10 who are fabulous and supportive of my condition.

I've been married, I’ve been divorced, I’ve owned a house, I’ve sold a house, been around the world and represented New Zealand here and overseas in the sporting world and at The World Fire Fighters Games to name a few.

In 2009 my life was turned upside down; I was diagnosed with this thing called Multiple Sclerosis which I’d never heard of.

As we know MS symptoms come and go, I had numbness in limbs then after 3-4 weeks it would diminish and invade another limb, I thought I was just getting older or old sporting injuries were catching up with me.

As a typical staunch Kiwi male, a visit to the doctor is the last resort or talking with family/friends.

As life got dark, I resorted to self-medicating until one day I woke up and thought “what the hell am I doing?".

I was awarded the Dorothy Newman Trust Scholarship and completed qualifications to be a Teacher Aide and enjoyed working with children at primary school level helping them with their education while teaching them about MS at the same time. I am now qualified in Mental Health and Addiction, helping people young, old or in between through their journey of life.

I have done many things since my diagnoses including Outward Bound which is always with the massive and continuous support from Multiple Sclerosis South Canterbury family and friends.

Your support and donation will help MS South Canterbury to keep supporting me, and others like me, who need encouragement and opportunities to fulfil our life-long dreams." Gareth

About Us

“Your donation will support people with Multiple Sclerosis to lead independent, active and fulfilling lives.

MS South Canterbury provides support, education, and advocacy for people with Multiple Sclerosis and their support networks including whanau, carers and employers.

We foster and encourage the creation of opportunities for people with MS and empower them to take control of their own well-being. With ongoing support and opportunities provided by our Field Worker, people with Multiple Sclerosis are encouraged to lead independent, active and fulfilling lives.