Canberrans will don their sneakers and pound the pavement next Sunday to show support for people living with multiple sclerosis.
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Bethany Lamont, who was diagnosed with the neurological condition in 2010 at the age of 32, has run and walked the MS Walk and Fun Run event in previous years but this year she will proudly stand as an ambassador to help raise funds and awareness for MS.
Bethany, now 37, has learned to work around changes in her leg mobility, mood, fatigue and general wellbeing.
She has found the services offered through the MS organisation to be invaluable, in particular the immunotherapy training by her MS nurse when she had to learn how to administer daily injections, information seminars about living successfully with MS and the referrals for support services around the home.
"I'm studying law and what I hope to do with that qualification is for those that don't have a voice, be able to provide it. I nearly fit every recognised equity group as woman, who is mixed-race, raising a foster child on my own and having a disability. It just makes me more determined to achieve everything I set in my sights," she said.
Almost 12,000 people are expected to take part in the event, which will be held in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne on May 31 to raise funds to help people living with the condition.
About 1000 Australians are diagnosed with MS every year.
The Canberra event will finish and start at Commonwealth Park at Lake Burley Griffin and participants will be able to walk or run a five or 10 kilometre course to raise awareness of the invisible disease.
Bethany is a passionate advocate for people with MS and said she would continue campaigning until a cure was found.
"Although there is no known cause or cure, there are treatment options available to help manage the symptoms," she said.
She is eager to raise awareness to educate people about the condition and how they can help those living with it to lead a normal life.
"Today I am working with the public sector here, I have actually encouraged other introverted people diagnosed with MS to come forward and receive more support. I owe it to the MS organisation who is supporting me to work, finish final year study of postgraduate law, foster a child as a sole parent and more," she said.
Bethany hopes Canberrans will get behind this year's event and support a worthy cause.
To register or for more information, visit mswalk.org.au.
