A runners personal triumph
To many an incurable disease could be seen as the bane of their existence. For one local sportswoman its the source of her strength.
It would be easy for all us to cower at the sight of our adversities, highlighting them as the reason why we cannot do something.
But action netball player and road runner, Nádene Bain, did not allow her scleroderma diagnosis to slow her down. She could have quite easily seen it as a reason for her to accept defeat. But, for a determined force like her, being diagnosed with a rare disease has only made her stronger.
She has had to come to terms with the autoimmune disease that she lives with daily. Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis is described as an autoimmune disorder that causes atypical growth of connective tissues. It makes one’s tissue become thick and stiff, leading to swelling and pain. The disease is said to cause an immune response that destroys healthy tissue. It’s an autoimmune disease because the body’s immune system mistakenly thinks your tissue is a foreign substance or infection.
“This condition didn’t change my life, it made me who I am today, stronger, positive and thankful. Even though there is no cure for my disease I will always come out stronger,” said Bain. One of the courageous things she has done is to not let her disease get in the way of her passion for sports, “Even though playing netball is not always easy on my fingers and running is not always easy on my joints, I have to keep doing it because it’s a part of who I am. I am not willing to allow this disease to take me away from something that makes me feel good and makes me who I am.”
Bain has taken part in sports activities since she was about six years old. Through the years she has taken part in competitions hosted by SA Schools Netball, cross country and high jump events.
The way this Emmarentia resident sees it, sports take all your worries about life away, and in that time you become part of a team and you make friends with who you enjoy the sport you love. Taking part in all these activities has also taught her that there will always be someone who is better than you. “But you should never stop working for what you want,” she said.
You can regularly find her on the courts playing action netball or on a long winding road, running with a smile on her face. That smile, of course, comes without realising the challenges she had to overcome. Such as the disappointment and tears that come with not being chosen for a team you worked hard to be part of, “You never give up, because you know your day will come.”
Bain hopes to inspire you to do what you love and to be kind as it adds to your beauty.
Related Article:
