When a team of more than 70 walkers, led by Banyo woman Griselda Quaggin, joined last year’s MS Moonlight Walk, their incredible $10,000+ fundraising effort was only part of the story.
For Griselda, completing the 6km walk was more than a personal milestone - it was a powerful reminder that, surrounded by the love and support of family, friends and MS Qld, this is not a battle she has to fight alone.
Griselda’s Multiple Sclerosis (MS) journey began back in October 2023 with a strange tingling in her feet.
“I’d arrived at work that morning as a fit and healthy woman, but on the way home I struggled to walk the 500 metres from Adelaide Street to Central Station. That weekend, the tingling spread up to my waist and my mobility just got worse and worse; I was a fit 41-year-old who, out of nowhere, couldn’t even walk up the road.”
While initial tests through her GP didn’t provide any answers, a week-long stay in hospital revealed the devastating reality - Multiple Sclerosis.
“When the neurologist told me they had an answer, it was a life-changing moment; there’s no other way to describe it. Until that point, I was an active mum of two working full time and then, suddenly, all my plans and expectations for the future went out the window.”
Even with three doses of steroids via infusion, Griselda struggled to walk out of the hospital.
“I had no idea about MS beyond doing the MS Readathon when I was at school, so it was a complete shock to me. Looking back, with what I know now and the fact that the neurologist said some of the lesions on my brain had been there quite a while, pieces of the puzzle began to fit together – like some new eye issues and really bad plantar fasciitis.”
In January 2024, Griselda started six-monthly infusions and connected with MS Queensland for support.
"I needed to know, how do I live with this disease? The reality is, that's a continuous journey, because you can never drop the ball with MS or you’ll relapse. The team at MS Queensland pointed me in the right direction and were able to assist me with accessing a range of supports. There is no cure for this disease, so knowledgeable support is essential.”
But, Griselda reflects, it took time for her to reach out.
“In those early months I was really depressed - I just didn't want to talk about it. It wasn’t until June 2024, sitting with some mum friends, that I decided to open up about what I was going through. They couldn’t believe I hadn’t told anyone.
“I told them that I’d set myself a goal, to walk the six kilometres of the MS Moonlight Walk and asked if they’d like to join me. Everyone said ‘of course!'"
Their support gave Griselda the confidence to share her story further.
“Before I knew it, 74 people had signed up to the MS Moonlight Walk and I began hearing from friends who also have loved ones with MS, someone who has rheumatoid arthritis and has the same symptoms as me and lots of others affected by chronic conditions.
“It was a huge step for me, but also a big learning – the people who care about us want to listen and they want to help.”
Not only that, but the event itself did not disappoint!
“The MS Moonlight Walk was such an exhilarating experience. The vibe was unreal – music and community and people cheering us on. So much energy. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted three of my siblings, who had secretly flown in from Sydney to support me. It was overwhelming.
“At the end, all anyone wanted to know was, ‘are we going again next year?’”
The reality of MS, Griselda says, is that nothing can be taken for granted.
“We’ll be there again this year – two years on from receiving my diagnosis. I’ve had some setbacks recently, but walking it remains my big goal.
“If you’re thinking about signing up, do it. Join our walk, donate and spread awareness by sharing and shining a light on this disease with no cure.”
