A Miss Universe Australia finalist who received a life changing diagnosis just months before her 21st birthday, has detailed her battle with the chronic condition.
Maddison Cottle has revealed she is one of the more than 33 thousands Australians living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), after waking up with a limp two years ago.
The young entrepreneur was 10 months into her first business endeavour as a “happy, healthy” 20-year-old when her life took a “scary” turn.
“One morning I woke up and I was limping for absolutely no reason,” she told the Herald Sun.
“I had not injured myself, nothing like that. I thought it was quite strange, but left it for a little while, however it just did not get better.”
The now 22-year-old, eventually sought a doctor’s opinion, before she was sent for an MRI which found lesions. A diagnosis quickly followed.
“The worst phone call I have ever received was that call confirming I had MS,” she said.
“I thought ‘how could this happen to me?’ I have never been more scared for what my future might look like.”
MS is a potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system which compromises the brain and spinal cord.
The condition causes the immune system to eat away at the protective covering of nerves, which could disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
Symptoms include vision loss, pain, fatigue and impaired co-ordination, however they do vary with some people being symptom-free for most of their lives while others have severe, chronic symptoms.
According to Multiple Sclerosis Australia, the condition affects women three times more than men, with most diagnoses made between 20 and 40 years of age.
Nearly three million people globally live with the condition, with up to two Australians receiving a diagnosis each day.
Currently there is no known cure for MS as well as no single cause, however genetic and environmental factors have shown to contribute to its development.
In Ms Cottle’s case, she’s able to manage her condition with medication, which includes monthly infusions that suppress her nervous system.
“There has been no further decline since I have been on that medication,” she said.
Ms Cottle also added her diagnosis inspired her to take part in Miss Universe Australia as a representative for Victoria.
“I want to make a difference. I want to draw attention to MS,” she said.
“I would love to advocate and educate and do everything in my power to support the mental health of people who receive a serious medical diagnosis.”
Within two days of sharing her story with the news site, the business woman received hundreds of messages and well wishes from her followers.
“In just 48 hours, my story reached more than 300,000 people,” she wrote on a post to her Instagram.
“Sharing my story was scary, it took me two years to be so vulnerable in hope to make a difference to at least one person’s life.
“Instead, I have reached hundreds of thousands of people. This is just the beginning.”
Some of those messages came from people who have received or a going through a medical diagnosis, with many thanking Ms Cottle for sharing her story.
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“Thank you so much for being so open, it means so much. I felt really inspired when I saw your post,” one person said.
“I always felt so embarrassed to share what happened to me. I think you’re amazing.”
Another said: “This is so brave, I am on my own diagnosis journey so thank you for being so open”.
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