A Kanata-based quilting company is hosting a fundraising dinner to help an Almonte woman with multiple sclerosis.

Sherry Read was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 23. Within six years, Read lost the ability to move on her own and was in a wheelchair.

Now 38, Read underwent an experimental procedure called chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in California last December, where the veins are opened to allow for better blood flow. The treatment, which is not available in Canada for MS patients, is believed to help by opening up veins that have been partially or completely blocked, allowing the blood to flow properly through the body.

Because Read was unable to get follow-up care in Canada, she only had part of the procedure completed and is heading back to Albany, NY this year.

“While we were there they were successful in opening her left jugular vein, which was 88 per cent blocked,” said Read’s mother, Joan. Only a portion of the lower right vein could be opened. The higher portion of the right jugular was 100 per cent blocked.

The family saw improvements in Sherry almost immediately, said Joan, who added it can take anywhere from three to six months to see the full range of progress.

Before being wheeled in to surgery, Sherry said the letter on the exit sign were blurry and her speech was slurred.

“When they wheeled her (out of) surgery she said, ‘Mom, as soon as they open that vein I could see every letter as clear as a whistle,’” said Joan. “(Her) speech had improved and her voice was stronger. She said ‘Mom, feel my hands.’ Sherry had been icy cold, there was no circulation. I'm telling you, you would swear she was hot flashing. She would feel that surge of blood. Those were some of the big things.”

Sherry, who used to be a figure skater, baseball player and played basketball at South Carleton High School in Richmond, lost about 20 pounds since her diagnosis because she had great difficulty chewing and swallowing.

“Because Sherry’s condition was getting worse and worse that’s why we went to California, she was almost paraplegic,” said Joan. “Right now she weighs around 110 lbs. Had we not taken her there she would probably be in bed with a feeding tube because that’s the only way we would have kept her alive.”

Since her treatment, her severe leg and neck spasms have been reduced and she has better control of her muscles, said Joan.

Sherry, who graduated from Carleton University with a degree in psychology and from Algonquin College as a dental hygienist, was only able to work about two and a half years before having to go on disability, said her mother.

The cost of medication, a new wheelchair, body support rests, physiotherapy, massage treatments and the CCSVI procedure have taken their toll on the family financially.

“The expenses are unbelievable,” said Joan. “But any improvement in quality of life for MS patients is worth every penny.”

Although the family can claim some of the cost, very little is covered. MS patients are entitled to a new wheelchair every five years, but Sherry needed a new one with back and neck support before the time limit was up so the family had to cover half the cost, on top of a new wheelchair accessible van.

After learning that The Running Stitch, along with Bravo Quilt Studio, was going to be hosting a fundraiser in Sherry’s honour, Joan said the family is “just overwhelmed.”

“Every penny helps,” said Joan. “They’re just amazing here for helping people out.”

Joan met Jody Taylor, who works at The Running Stitch, about four years ago at a quilt guild meeting; both women are long-arm quilters.

“I hadn’t seen Jody in about three years when the phone rang out of the blue,” said Joan.

Taylor’s mother also has MS and recently went to Poland for the CCSVI treatment.

“I saw how expensive it was and I saw the struggle,” said Taylor. “She’s a person with MS and she had to travel across the world to get treatment.”

A fundraiser was held for Taylor’s mom where $10,000 was raised to help pay for the trip.

“She (Taylor) wants to give back so she said she’d like to do a fundraiser if Sherry’s willing,” said Joan.

“All the proceeds are being donated to the family,” said Taylor. “Their cost of going to California was upwards of $12,000 US.”

Taylor said she felt the need to help the Read family financially.

“The quilting community is a really small community, everybody knows everybody,” said Taylor. “We both have an ill relative in common.”

The event is going to be hosted at St. Paul’s Church, located at 20 Young Road on April 2, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets for the spaghetti dinner and auction are $25 and available at The Running Stitch, which is also accepting donations from people who can’t make the event, said Taylor.

jessica.cunha@metroland.com

http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/local/article/973137--quilting-community-helps-woman-with-ms