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I www.durhamrcqion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, DECEMBER 17,2003 PAGE A9 Lynn Hawley lives life to the fullest despite MS Life goes on with a little help from MS Society DURHAM .ynn Hawley m m •# 1.': ' mi I - Back in 1980, thought she was laving a nervous breakdown and the doctors weren't so sure she wasn't. The Ajax woman, who has been living with multiple sclerosis sclerosis for the past two-and-a-half decades, admits when she first realized realized this was a recognized physical condition, it was almost a relief. "It look two years to find out what it was. I ended up in the hospital. I thought I was having a nervous breakdown," she says, adding a number of baffling physical conditions made it difficult difficult to function. "In the beginning beginning it was a relief just to find out what it was." MS is a disease that attacks the autoimmune system causing nerve damage and creating symptoms symptoms that range from bladder control problems to dizziness and memory failure to trouble with motor skills, including walking. In the decades since Ms. Hawley's Hawley's onset, diagnosis of the disease disease has become easier thanks to MRIs, but living with the disease remains a challenge. "I have two children," says Ms. Hawley. "After I was diag nosed, I did things really slowly. Everything slowed down." Over time the disease has progressively progressively impaired Ms. Hawley's ability to walk and impacted every aspect aspect of her life, leaving her unable unable to hold down a full-time job. However, one positive force through it all has been the Multiple Multiple Sclerosis Society's Durham chapter. The office, which recently recently relocated from Ajax to Whitby, provides resource material, organizes organizes exercise and yoga classes, runs support group meetings and provides assistance getting mechanical mechanical aids and special assistance assistance funding for those living with MS. "They helped me to accept what I had," says Ms. Hawley. "They have provided access to a yoga class with 25 people who all have MS. It helps us to laugh at what we have. It's a happy environment." environment." There's also a support group for newly-diagnosed MS sufferers, sufferers, she adds. Life isn't easy, but with the assistance assistance of the Durham chapter, Ms. Hawley has learned to not only cope but to continue living. She donates her time at Duffin's Bay Public School, reading to the primary students and promoting the MS Read-A-Thon. Anyone who would like information information on the MS Society of Canada can drop by the Durham chapter's office at Unit 6, 400 Dundas St. W„ Whitby, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, or call 905-668-0388. e jgp : ...I It took two years lor Lynn Hawley to realize she was sulTering from multiple sclerosis. She credits MS Durham lor helping her understand and deal with her condition. n 1ST ANNIVERSARY °0_ FRIDAY, DEC. 19TH C "JIMMY FRASER" SATURDAY, DEC. 20TH "BILLY BRANDO" 600 Grandview, Oshawa 905-436-1476 m / "VA MeWuj, GbsUdmcvi from the Staff and Board of Directors of the ii, Durham Farmers Co-op \\ Orono fh' We appreciate your patronage and looks forward to serving you in // the New Year ©J.P. WHY DO BUSINESS AT Æ WS" » . w' JOE DAGLORIA "A customer oriented dealership, with an unmatched working atmosphere" "Eauet/* * Prompt, courteous, professional and dedicated staff to help you with your vehicle requirements it Gold level blue oval certification; having achieved the highest criteria in ultimate customer satisfaction WHY DO BUSINESS ANYWHERE ELSE! 815 King St. W. Oshawa 905-576-1800 #1 Readers Choice for BEST Motorcycle Dealership It's that time of year again. Make it special in every way. Azini Mnnji mid Staff • 1 «« - ÇUJ^r Mj WaA fl 5 P H ARM ACY 130 Waverley Road, Bowmanville 905-623-2333 LÙJ JltCmflNiWMiiui fPllfr. • Riding Gear • Casual Clothing • Kids Wear • Womens Apparel • Collectibles • Accessories f n am biWA 'jUJMLfi ilu mBH n 11SJ l- '.'zvl jwvg 1 tî* Av.' fVk'Àv rWu' Ii HRS: Mon.-Wed. 10am-7pm, Thurs. 10am-9pm, Fri. 10am-7pm, Sat. 10am-5pm, Sun. 12pm-4pm Champlain Ave., Oshawa www.maGkieharleydavidson.com (905) 434-6550 TABRICLÆND CANADA'S LARGEST ^ Fttuinu firdif nicTDimirnn FASHION FABRIC DISTRIBUTOR Ho Ho HOME DÉCOR sale Thursday, December 18-Sunday, December 21 Our Entire Stock Drapery Fabric 30% off Our Regular Price Our Entire Stock Drapery Hardware and Trim 50% off Our Regular Price Our Entire Stock Christmas Fabric and Trim, Arctic Fleece, Corduroy, mÆ Denim, Metailics and Fancies pity c/\o/ «to 50% off Our Regular Price 1801 Dundas St. E. /CCA UJDT/^T /tC7X77™>\ 600 Grandview St. S. Whitby f WJ Oshawa 721-9152 V 436-7589 Mon. - Frl. 9 a.m. • 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m. IM I XM Still- IN SOMK STORKS ITEMS M\> III- SOI D XI \ I OXXKR VMM'I IIIXNOl U IU(,l I \IU II XIN N lOlU HIM I XXIII HI Mils ( OXIIM IIIIX I I'UK INC. IK Cl Its Mil' XlIX I R I INI |> S XX INI ,S XX 11 I III 111 I (U It ltl(,l I X IK II X IN S I OUI I UK I c/f<^Afohz oj^Ufianfzs ho (Duz Ojadbornzzs Wlien we think of all the faces we have come to know in the past 59 years, it gladdens our hearts and gives us much to celebrate this Christmas. So to all of you, who have given us so much joy, we offer our gratitude and very best wishes for a very merry Christmas season. Thank you for selecting our store as "Your #1 Jeweller" in the most recent Readers' Choice Awards for 2003. Art and Lil Hooper and Management and staff of OOper's Jewellers Ltd. Your Family Jewellers since 1945 39 KING ST. W., BOWMANVILLE (905)623-5747 1 GREETINGS OFTHE CûSon May nature's peace and joy flow into your heart this holiday season, and stay with you throughout the coming year. We feel very fortunate to have you as our customer, and look forward to your continued patronage and goodwill. (>5 the co-opeïhtoïs A Better Place for You Laura Sciore, CIP, CLU, CFP 102 King St. E., Bowmanville (905)697-2262 email: laura scioro@cooporators.cn