Every morning, she says, Susan Blackborough would wake up glutted with dread. She lies in bed, not knowing if she can stand until she attempts to rise. At 12 years old, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Now at 45, she’s established herself as an international leader in the fight against this debilitating disease. For more than 30 years she has fought this truly chronic and debilitating disease. It has drastically taken away her ability to be mobile and enjoy life.
Since 2020, it’s Susan’s turn to not walk. About a decade ago, her health began to deteriorate. This ongoing battle with MS required her to leave behind her successful profession as a on-the-go capital broker. We hope you’ll appreciate how every day, she courageously tackles the challenges of her condition. It renders her intolerant to extreme temperatures. In extreme heat, her muscles stop working, and in cold, spasticity sets in and locks her body down.
The Daily Struggle with MS
Experience Unpredictability Living with multiple sclerosis when you’re Susan is a life marked by unpredictability. She describes her experience succinctly: “I never know what each day is going to bring.” On the bad days, she feels so weak that she can’t get out of bed without assistance. “Some days I’m really weak and I can’t even get out of bed on my own,” she adds, reflecting the daily challenges she faces.
The physical restrictions created by MS are heavy enough, but then she balances that with the emotional burden of her own diagnosis. “I became weak and I needed a lot of extra help to do things,” she explains. While there are challenges that lay ahead, Susan is hell-bent on working towards her mobility, freedom and independence. Her passion for being an engaged mother to her two sons, Thomas and Zane, inspires the fire within.
“I don’t want to be … in a wheelchair for the rest of my life and I’m doing all I can to make that happen … but I just need a bit of help.” – Ms Blackborough
Support and Rehabilitation
Susan’s path to recovery has been bolstered by a team of professionals, including her physiotherapist Greg Muller. With his help, she is determinedly learning to walk a second time and the best. Greg echoes her determination: “We can try really hard, and we might get there, or we can say it’s too hard and we definitely won’t.” This positive reinforcement is a key component in Susan’s rehabilitation process.
What she needs most of all is the support she has gotten from family and caregivers. Through all these challenges, Susan encourages people to hold on to as much independence as they can. “I want to retain as much independence as I can,” she states firmly. Her fearless conviction to break down barriers ignites passion and drive in everyone around her. It demonstrates the amazing strength we see in many who fight chronic conditions.
“But I’m trying to walk again and I want to get back to working and trying to heal.” – Ms Blackborough
The Broader Impact of Multiple Sclerosis
In Australia, the female-to-male ratio for multiple sclerosis is three to one. This shocking reality is a major struggle for many families all over the country. Rohan Greenland from the MS Research Australia outlines the broader implications: “Australia is home to world-leading researchers working across every stage of the disease, from uncovering the causes of MS, to improving care and accelerating progress toward a cure.” This research in process not only provides hope for Susan, but for the millions of others suffering from this debilitating disease.
Looking back on all she’s been through, Susan realizes that MS compelled her to make some big life changes. When it reached a point where it wasn’t safe for me to drive, I quit driving. I had to close my business. On a practical level, I had to get rid of all my sexy high-heel shoes—which was devastating, honestly,” she recalls. Faced with all these challenges, Sgt. Burdette’s resolve is unmistakable as she presses on and continues to seek a better way.
