Kathy Andries has trouble lifting her legs to negotiate one step. It's a compelling reason for wanting to create
awareness of a controversial treatment known to give those suffering

from multiple sclerosis the chance to walk again.

Andries has had multiple sclerosis (MS) since she was 11-years-old, but wasn't diagnosed until 1996 at the age of 39.

It's a disease that has left Andries, now 53, in a wheelchair on bad days and using a walker most every other day.

She quit working four years ago when the MS caught up to her.

"I knew then, wow, this is not good," she said.

But Andries said a hotly debated treatment known as CCVSI liberation has
been performed on a fellow MS sufferer and has made a big difference .

"I don't like not being able to walk and move," Andries said. "And this
treatment could help me walk again. My biggest motivation would have to

be my granddaughter. She is just starting to walk and I would love to be

able to take her hand and walk with her."

Andries has invited anyone in the area to the Royal Canadian Legion in St. Thomas on Nov. 17
at 11 a.m., to 2 p.m., to hear about Vicky Butler's experience with

chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), a syndrome in which

the flow of blood in the cervical and thoracic veins, - from the CNS to

the heart - is compromised and less efficient.

The theory proposed by Dr. Paulo Zamboni is that insufficient venous blood flow
promotes development of brain dysfunction, especially multiple

sclerosis, according to LiberationTreatmentCVSI.com.

According to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, reports of a possible
association between insufficient vein drainage and MS doesn't mean MS is

caused by CCSVI.

"Based on what has been published so far, it can only be said that MS may occur in association with impaired
venous drainage of the central nervous system," reads the MSSC website.

"This impairment, if truly present, could cause MS, but it is also

possible that it is incidental to the disease."

Dr. Robert Zivadinov's testing showed CCSVI appeared in 22.4 per cent of healthy
controls, leading the doctor to conclude that a causal relationship

between CCSVI and MS can't be stated for certain until more studies are

completed.

Last year, Butler, who couldn't walk because of MS, travelled to Mexico to undergo surgery that put stents in two major
veins to increase blood flow cut down by CCSVI.

"Now she can feel the blood in her veins," Andries said. "It's improved her circulation
and she can walk again. She's even playing golf."

As far as Andries knows, the treatment isn't offered in Canada, while it is in
many other parts of the world. Just to be considered for such a

procedure in Canada, Andries said the testing for CCSVI can last from

three to five years

Butler's surgery in Mexico cost her around $25,000 and her house, which she had to sell to pay for the treatment.

Hoping not to go hopelessly into debt, Andries has found a clinic in New York
State that will perform the surgery for about $6,000.

A surgeon will be checking for blood clotting in Andries with an MRI machine to
isolate the spots where Andries will need stents put in.

Andries' surgery is scheduled for February.

michael.peeling@sunmedia.ca

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