By Nigel Maxwell

Canwood woman excited to set foot in Prince Albert

May 2, 2015 | 8:50 AM

Michelle Thall will take part this weekend in her first Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Walk in Prince Albert.

Thall is not only a proud volunteer for the MS Society, she is also personally impacted by the disease.

“If you saw me walking down the street, and you didn’t know who I was, you wouldn’t know that I had MS,” said Thall.

When Thall was diagnosed with MS nine years ago, her future was a lot more uncertain.  She was forced to give up many things she loved including her hair styling business.  She also found it difficult attending family functions.

“We had two young children at the time so I couldn’t follow with them, I just didn’t have the energy,” she said. 

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Thall’s husband would take the kids out while Thall reluctantly stayed home.

That was nine years ago. Thall is now taking medication and she has a lot more energy.  After being unemployed for six years, she now works as a bank teller.

“It is a very hard disease to live with, just with the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring or even what an hour will bring if there’s another attack,” she said.

One of the symptoms Thall lives with daily is a constant ringing in her ears. She compares it to the feeling of leaving a loud concert and then your ears ring.  Thall describes the ‘MS Hug,’ as a feeling of a constant squeeze around her torso. The tightness around her ribs makes it difficult for Thall to catch her breath.

In Saskatchewan the MS walk will be held in 13 different communities, including Prince Albert.

The MS walk in Prince Albert will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday near the Elks Lodge on Eighth Avenue East.

“We currently have 30 confirmed registered walkers, I’m hoping we get a few more this week with a little extra promotion and often in the past we have a lot of walk-ons,” said Kami Brooks, community engagement coordinator for northern Saskatchewan.

For more information, people can register at www.mswalks.ca  

Brooks said funds raised from the event go to investment in MS studies and client service programs in Prince Albert.

“Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world and with that Saskatchewan has over 3,500 individuals living with MS,” said Brooks.

Thall says she has not tried applying for the clinical trials, nor does she have any intent to do so in the near future.  She is currently taking three injections a day of her medication.

“It really seems to be working for me so I don’t want to rock the boat. But if I were to have an attack I’d definitely be on board trying something else,” she said.

Thall said she is very thankful for the support that everyone gives adding it helps her move forward.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story stated the walk starts at 8 a.m. The walk starts at 1 p.m. and the check-in time is noon.