S
teve Garvie from Barrie Ontario was diagnosed with MS ten years ago after having 27 seizures over a twenty-four hour period.
“I was diagnosed by the head of the MS clinic at St. Micheals, Dr Paul O’conner. My family was very dismayed and did not know how else to react or help. I was alone with this. My response…wow, then what do I do to make this better?”
Like Maria, Steve’s symptoms over the years have been severe and debilitating. “I have suffered from severe fatigue, numbness in my left hand rendering it useless and my left leg and foot have not been receiving signals from my brain causing foot drop. I lost control of my bladder and suffered from sexual disfunction.”
Steve is now in the process of setting up The CCSVI Foundation
Steve’s symptoms became so severe that he had to live in assisted housing funded by the government. The agency behind the housing: Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled provide professional carers and Steve relied on them for many of his daily needs.
“They would come to my home three times a day to help me with breakfast and get me off to work in the morning, then help later in the day when my fatigue set in to help with supper. In the evening they would help me shower as I could not have carried out this task without falling if they were not around.
“The help they gave me was enormous and I cannot thank them enough. With them helping me I was able to still go to work and support myself and retain some of the dignity that MS stole from me.”
Steve was on many medications for his MS, but fortunately his group plan covered most of the expense. He says that without this he would have had to pay in the region of $3,000 per month for his medication.
“When I first heard of CCSVI it made sense and I wanted to know where I could get the treatment in Canada. I took the protocols to my doctor and told her I needed a doppler test. She booked this with Dr McDonald.
“On January 29th I received my CCSVI procedure at the The Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie. It was done by Dr Guest and I was the second person to receive the procedure in Canada. The cost to me was nothing.”
Steve had angioplasty which took about 45 minutes and even whilst still on the operating table he got back the use of his left hand. He could also wiggle his toes and lift his left leg.
“Within days I had no more fatigue, but it took a little longer for some of the other symptoms to improve. My bladder took around seven months to repair itself as did the blood flow to my left foot. Now I have no MS symptoms and only have a few mobility problems from the CCSVI damage. I walk with a cane as my electric wheelchair gathers dust in the corner.
“I am slowly getting stronger and have started physiotherapy to regain some of the movement that CCSVI robbed me of.
“When I decided to have this treatment my aim was simply to stop the progression of MS. The fact that my symptoms have actually disappeared is truly a blessing and I cannot praise the doctors enough for giving me back my dignity and my life.”
Steve is very angry towards the MS Society and the government for not allowing CCSVI treatment to be performed in Canada. He says it is inhumane and unintelligent for them to be dragging their feet over this issue. He has this message for them.
“Even after 40 plus years of going down the wrong path it is never too late to do the right thing. Bury your pride, greed and ego and do the right thing. Stop allowing people to suffer and die and give them the simple angioplasty they need and desire. Discrimination is ugly in any form, when death and disability are involved it is nothing short of criminal.”
Latest News About Steve:
Steve is now in the process of setting up The CCSVI Foundation whose mandate is to help people get the angioplasty treatment they need. Many MS patients cannot afford the procedure or travel expenses associated with it. The sole purpose of the CCSVI Foundation is to financially help those who wish to have this treatment. It will also help those who have any questions about where, who and when to go. Also any information on the procedure or questions they may have about anything to do with CCSVI.
There will be very little overhead and anyone connected with the organization works on a volunteer basis. All donations will be used in the pursuit of saving lives and restoring quality of life.