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Roy Bartlett, who has had multiple sclerosis (MS) for 38 years, is on a mission to help improve the lives of others living with the disease.
Recently, the 71-year-old Gulf Harbour resident was appointed an ambassador for the Overcoming MS charity’s global programme. It is a role he is ideally suited to, as he says following the 7-Step recovery programme promoted by Overcoming MS has given him new energy and vitality and a way of managing life with MS.
Roy says he had the disease for nine years before he received a diagnosis in 1989. It was picked up when he suffered from optic neuritis (blurred vision) and other symptoms, made worse by stress.
“When I was diagnosed, I couldn’t walk more than a few paces and had to stop work,” he says. “Getting the diagnosis was the best thing, as up until then I didn’t know what was wrong. However, I was also told there was nothing they could do for me until I got bad enough to go on a drug regime.”
Never one to give up, Roy read a book about how to help yourself deal with MS. Top of the list was stress management – something Roy says he had struggled with in the past. Through counselling, he learned skills to help him cope with stress. He also found ways to maintain his energy levels.
He trained as a counselor and, together with his wife Julie, became very active in community work, including involvement with the MS Society, Asthma Society and Alzheimers Foundation. With Julie, he co-founded Star Jam, a not for profit organisation that creates performance opportunities for young people with disabilities. This work saw him become a finalist in the 2011 Senior category of New Zealander of the Year.
Attending a retreat in 2012 led by Professor George Jelinek was another turning point. The Professor, who is a Dr and has MS, developed the 7-step programme around 20 years ago. It is a programme that Overcoming MS says has benefited tens of thousands of people from 130 countries.
Roy says he left the retreat feeling equipped and empowered. He has been following the programme, which focuses on diet and lifestyle changes as well as daily exercise, meditation and mindfulness, ever since.
“It made a huge difference – I am more vital and energetic now than I was a year ago, and I am able to contribute to my community,” Roy says.
Roy is able to walk unaided, although he uses a walking frame for safety in case he loses his balance.
His appointment as ambassador will enable him to spread the word.
“Recovery from MS is possible but getting, and staying, on that path can be hard,” he says. “To succeed, people need support, guidance and encouragement. That’s where Overcoming MS ambassadors come into the picture.”
He is in the process of forming an Overcoming MS circle, which is a group that meets regularly to support and encourage each other. His first meeting, for a group of six people with MS, took place on November 16 in Albany.
Info: overcomingms.org or phone Roy, 021 262 3123.
