We have a guest speaker at this year's Annual General Meeting! Please read on to meet Joanne and then join us on May 9th to hear her speak.
"Believe, Hope and Inspire.. .
I chose this title as a few years ago a friend made me an MS bracelet and the words Believe, Hope and Inspire were the words she chose for the bracelet. So I Believe in the future, Hope for a cure and try to Inspire others on their journey.
I was diagnosed with MS in 1984 when I was 21 and in the 3rd year of my BEd. I ran away to Europe and when I came home to face the world I got a job as a filing clerk in an insurance office. I became an insurance broker and if I had to ask a other person how many bathrooms they had in their house I thought I would scream so after 4 years I became an insurance adjuster. I was a personal insurance adjuster and enjoyed taking statements, climbing on damaged roofs and helping people replace stolen property. This job took me to Calgary in 1991 when they had a hail storm. In 1993 I became a single mom and the adjuster office I was working in closed. When you daughter Paige was just over a year old I started working for an independent ICBC Adjuster.
Due to my MS (and a majorly broken leg) I stopped working and spent a lot of time volunteering at Paige’s school.
I have volunteered every year for the MS Society since 1997 and volunteered for other events prior to Walk. I wanted to help raise money for the MSS and in 1990 I thought I would ride in the MS Bike in Vancouver and unfortunately I broke my wrist and was in a cast for 10 weeks. I volunteered at that Bike but decided a Walk would be safer so when it was introduced in 1992 I was a participant. I have been involved in every Walk since then.
In late 2013 a friend and I approached the Abbotsford Parks, Recreation and Culture Board. We were successful in obtaining a 50% discount for the disabled. I have contacted the City of Abbotsford in regards to sidewalks and parking lots lack of accessibility. Nothing has happened yet but, as a scooter rider, I am determined to make things better. Fingers crossed.
Besides MS I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in 2004, thyroid cancer in 2017 and Sjogrens Syndrome in 2021. I believe that your attitude plays so much into how you perceive life, with or without disabilities. I have had many curve balls thrown at me but I’m still standing."
