BARRIE - Steve Garvie took his dog Magoo on a long walk Thursday, travelling the route he intends to take April 17 for the inaugural CCSVI Stroll and Roll.

It’s no coincidence Garvie’s walk is the same day as the Multiple Sclerosis’ Society’s walk, but he said he’s not about to get nasty with the MS Society.

“I’m doing it because people need fixing,” he said.

Garvie is however angry that both the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the MS Society of Canada say there isn’t enough information available to prove liberation treatment surgery is safe.

He’s had the treatment done and after more than a year later swears by it. He started The CCSVI to raise money for people to get the surgery done.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve had it done, and one-third are better, one-third are like me with a few remaining symptoms.

Chronic Cerebral Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) is a blockage of one or more veins in the neck area. And the treatment alleviates that blockage.

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 12 years ago, Garvie said his life changed the day he had a simple surgery Jan. 29, 2010.

“I was the second person of six in Barrie to have it done,” said Garvie. The local surgery was halted before more could be done, however.

He tears up when remembering those days, and whenever he thinks about other people still living with MS.

He first heard about the liberation treatment from his family doctor and sought it out.

“I met with Dr. Sandy McDonald, who said my left jugular vein was blocked. He said there was political and legal stuff surrounding this surgery.”

Garvie said he told McDonald he didn’t care.

After the 45-minute procedure, which was essentially angioplasty for a vein, Garvie noticed a difference.

“I was still awake on the table, and I said to the surgeon ‘you did something’. My left hand was numb before and I was able to move it.”

He shook a nurse’s hand, and was also able to move his left leg. His case was documented on W5, and a follow up will air shortly.

He still has difficulty walking and uses a brace, but enjoys the fact that he is able to go for longer walks.

He has since been to the Dominican Republic, where he played table tennis, went swimming and danced for the first time with his girlfriend, Donna Graham.

It’s this same freedom that he’s fighting for, for every MS patient.

“I’m so proud of everyone with MS who is fighting, taking a half-hour just to put their shoe on.”

The CCSVI Foundation is registered as a not-for-profit organization, but Garvie is still waiting for charitable status to issue tax receipts.

Money donated will support people who want to get this surgery done, he said.

“I’m going to keep going until every person in Canada has the opportunity I’ve had. I can’t leave people behind.”

jramsay@simcoe.com

http://www.simcoe.com/community/barrieinnisfil/article/979104

Now Garvie is a spokesperson for the liberation treatment and is aggressive in his pitch. “I’ve always been a salesman, and I’ll keep on being one. Only now, I’m selling life.”

Garvie said before his surgery, he used a walker or an electric wheelchair to get around and he felt fatigued all the time. He lived in government-assisted housing.

He had tried to commit suicide twice.