Marlene Hessing
2017 Grant recipient, Marlene Hessing.
“It would mean the world to me to get back some fitness and participate again in walks and treks, especially in the bush. This is the best chance to beat the progression of MS.”
For Marlene Hessing, the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis originally meant no cure and no medicines. She was told it would only get worse and that she would end up in a wheelchair. Now, almost 20 years later, Marlene has taken control of her MS and is determined and strong.
Marlene has left her wheelchair behind and after a time with a trolly and cane, she now walks unaided. Even though she still finds walking and balancing a challenge, she doesn’t want it to stop her from achieving her goals. Marlene is set on achieving the levels of strength and fitness she needs to complete the Goat Island Walkway (2 hour rounds trip) and Tiritiri Mantangi Island Walk ( 2 hour walk) with the help of Parkinson’s Counter Punch and MitoQ.
Marlene describes herself as a “warm, strong and independent lady who puts effort into everything I commit to — a survivor I guess.” And a survivor she is. Originally diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS in 1999, she was rediagnosed a few years later with Secondary Progessive MS. This meant that she had resign from her full-time job with Air New Zealand, having worked for them for more than 15 years. The advancement in her MS caused significant disability and although it was extremely hard at times, both physically and mentally, she was determined to fight back and not let MS win.
“Walking is person’s best medicine”, she explains, “its good for body and mind and I was a member of the outdoors club at Air New Zealand. [I] loved spending time in the outdoors and with the other members”. Her love of walking and her fierce determination to stay out of the wheelchair takes her to the gym three times a week and keeps her going to the Yoga and Water Walking classes provided by MS Auckland. After four years of training and experiencing improvement, she now concentrates on working hard to regain her mobility, balance and gait.
“I knew that if I trained with a professional, they would help me to be consciously aware of using the correct technique while improving my gait, posture, arm movements, weight transferring and everything else that goes with safe and correct walking. I have lost these skills and need to retrain.
“It would mean the world to me to get back some fitness and participate again in walks and treks, especially in the bush. This is the best chance to beat the progression of MS”.
With help from Mastering Mountains grant, Marlene is receiving one on one personal training sessions with Counter Punch Parkinson’s to help her build her strength, balance, coordination and stamina in order for her to achieve her goals. Counter Punch Parkinson’s is a rehabilitation service designed for people with neurological conditions.
Reflecting on everything that has got her to this point, Marlene believes that the most important thing is to share your journey, stay hopeful and not look at worst case scenarios. Looking ahead, she believes that persevering with a positive attitude will keep her strong and positive, “No time is better than now.”
We wish her all the best and look forward to watching her progress and completing her goals.
Mastering Mountains Charitable Trust thanks Macpac and Counter Punch Parkinson’s for their generous support of Marlene’s grant.