Sheffield woman with MS issues plea to get her old life back

A Sheffield woman with a debilitating disease is making a desperate appeal to fund '˜miracle' treatment abroad.
Claire Ripley, who has multiple sclerosis, is hoping to raise £26,000 for miracle treatment.Claire Ripley, who has multiple sclerosis, is hoping to raise £26,000 for miracle treatment.
Claire Ripley, who has multiple sclerosis, is hoping to raise £26,000 for miracle treatment.

Claire Ripley, who has multiple sclerosis, is hoping to raise £26,000 to pay for a 12-day course of stem cell treatment in Russia.

The 31-year-old, who uses crutches to walk and suffers ‘agonising pain’ daily, said the treatment has a 95 per cent of halting the disease – and could even return her to her sporty old self.

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Claire, of Hillsborough, said: “It would mean everything to get my old life back.

“Before I was diagnosed with MS, I took simple things like walking and exercising for granted.

“But when those things are taken away from you, it’s totally devastating – that’s when you realise just how special these things are.

“Nowadays I cannot walk without crutches, I suffer painful electric shocks through my face and teeth and have a great deal of other pain to contend with.

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“I know other people who have had stem cell treatment for MS and it really is a miracle.”

Claire was diagnosed two-and-a-half years ago after years of increasing symptoms, including balance problems, muscle weakness, fatigue and vision problems.

“I try to continue to work and for my life to remain largely as it was but this is becoming increasingly difficult. ”

Claire, who works for the Home Office when her condition allows, is trying to raise the cost of the £26,000 course.