Hayden Alvisio

WHY AM I DOING THIS ?!?!? - A few good reasons for some GREAT people in my life!

I'm doing this to raise awareness for MS and my uncle, who was diagnosed with MS in 2010.

Let me start by telling you a little about uncle David and auntie Janet.

For all of my life, as far back as I can recall my auntie Janet and uncle David have been some of the happiest and kindest people I've come across.
Very little can get under their skin, and even less can get the better of them.

They have shared in many hardships - more than enough for a lifetime.
Before I was born, David lost 1 leg and just about the entirety of the other in a motorcycle accident (1985).
Following this, they adapted to a new way of living, with David changing careers to accommodate his injury, though he continued to live an active lifestyle and was driving himself to work and helping around the house.
He would have 3 good years of walking following the loss of his leg.

In 1989, Janet and David got married, and around this time Dave would notice something didn't feel quite right - he was starting to lose his balance and had to start using a cane to get around.
A doctor at the time told him, "your symptoms present like MS... but you definitely don't have MS".

Due to his previous injuries he wasn't able to get an MRI done, so they would opt for CT scans that showed small spots, shaped like the southern cross, developing in his brain.
Despite this, doctors saw a man with less than one good working leg and overlooked his reported symptoms, instead insisting that he manage his expectations.


From 1989 - 2010, David would learn to manage his symptoms, which would eventually mean scaling back his work responsibilities and Janet picking up more of the workload at home.
During this time they would welcome two daughters into the world, while David's symptoms would advance to the point of him needing to use a wheelchair full-time, which meant surrendering his ability to work and drive, as it became to dangerous.


By happenstance, David see's the surgeon that reconstructed his legs following the accident, and the doctor is shocked to see him in a wheelchair.  
This coincidence is how Dave gets in touch with the neurologist that will later diagnose him with MS.

My auntie Janet has cared for David for as long as I can remember, which evolved into full time care while raising two girls.
I've never heard a complaint from her, her positive attitude never faulters and you can see why her and Dave were made for eachother. They're always up for a laugh and can find the silver lining in any situation.
Following his Diagnosis, from 2010 to the present day, Dave still gets up at 5:45 every morning and makes himself breakfast and a coffee, before hopping on his scooter and going for a walk. He exercises from his chair 3 times a week.
His MS affects his left side, limiting his range of motion and coordination, but keeping a routine helps the most in managing his symptoms - and they work as a family to achieve that. He focuses on staying hydrated and not over exerting himself, as doing so can trigger an episode.

Through all of this, Janet and David have always looked on the bright side.

"There is always someone worse off, you can't live life thinking "why me?""

They live a happy and fulfilling life and are always working together.

"We know we will never be 100%, but we do what we know we can do 100%"

Looking back on life after the diagnosis, my family will say they noticed small changes in Dave over time, such as not being able to get around as easy, or needing help with tasks he used to be able to do with ease.
But it was really David who know from the begining something was off.

I've never heard them complain that life isn't fair or that they were hard done by, David even says that he never regrets getting into motorbikes, supporting my brothers and I when we pursued motorcross at a young age.
He's always had the attitude that life is what you make it, and you can't get bogged down in what you can't change.


If you made it this far, thankyou! Ya bloody legend!
At the start of this year I challenged myself to complete my first triathlon, and on January 1st I bought my first bike and began training like a maniac.
I completed the Moo Tri olympic distance on March 30th.

When I saw Brissy to the Bay I knew I had to sign up and challenge myself for the cause. Before this, the furthest I'd ridden was 40km, so this will take me 90km further than I've ever been before!

This is for a great cause and will help many more people like my uncle David, please consider donating what you can!

Only those who will risk going to far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S Eliot