Moot MS warrior tells her story

A Moot resident has given up her passion for dancing after she was diagnosed with an auto immune disease.

Now, Jo-Ann Haarhoff (39) wants to create more awareness about the disease.

She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) on 16 December, after she had been sick for a “very long time”, she told Rekord.

Haarhoff was part of the Rodeo Girls before she was diagnosed.

“Dancing is my passion,” she said.

But she is now in a lot of pain and it is difficult.

ALSO READ: Update: Tough times for Moot toddler with rare syndrome

Her mother Lientjie Bayman, who is head of the Rodeo Girls line dancers said the diagnosis had been hard on the family.

“My daughter looks normal and it does not look like anything is wrong,” she said.

“But on the inside, I know she is in terrible pain.”

Tracing the history of her illness, Haarhoff said: “Before the diagnosis, I was placed on different medications because we could not figure out what was wrong with me.

“It was my home doctor who gave me my first fright when he referred me for a brain scan because he was afraid of tumours.”

Haarhoff said at first she did not want to go for the MRI.

ALSO READ: Fundraiser for Moot boy with rare muscle syndrome

“We were on our way to a vacation. It was on the night before we were set to leave that we had a dance show,” she said.

“I went to the bathroom and never came out because I collapsed.”

She then decided to go for the MRI.

“After I was done, they sent me back for another MRI and the doctors informed me that it looked like MS. It, however, needed to be diagnosed officially by a neurologist.

“I was diagnosed privately and had to undergo a set of tests to determine that I had primary progressive MS.”

Haarhoff explained that there was not yet a cure for MS.

ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: West girl with rare cancer dies

“They can prescribe us medication, which is not a cure, only a type of suppressor,” she said.

“However, it is possible to go into remission once diagnosed with the disease.”

She said it was necessary to go for an MRI at least twice a year.

However, Haarhoff said she did not have medical aid at the moment.

“I am waiting for confirmation to be able to be placed on a medical aid,” she said.

“But in the meantime, I still have to go for that MRI.”

ALSO READ: Eersterust children ‘overdose on medicine‘

She said she had to do the MRI privately as the MRI machine at Steve Biko hospital was not working.

To do an MRI privately costs around R8 000, she said.

Bayman has run previous fundraisers for her daughter.

“There is an account open for any donations that I receive,” she said.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated, Haarhoff added.

Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:

Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram