By VANESSA VALENZUELA
EVERY day is a challenge for Laura Salib.
But the 33-year-old Hillside resident is taking it in her stride and out to prove to the world she is ready for anything.
Ms Salib suffers from Neurosarcoidosis, a rare disease which affects the brain and central nervous system causing constant pain, fatigue and seizures.
Almost two years ago Ms Salib was rushed to hospital after experiencing severe pain in her chest. She was diagnosed with Lymphoma.
After months of medical testing, doctors discovered her initial diagnosis was wrong and Ms Salib was told she had Neurosarcoidosis.
“I think the strangest thing of my illness is that I don’t look sick and because of this people look at me like I am crazy,” she said.
“People don’t understand that I just can’t do what I used to and that I can’t plan for tomorrow because I don’t know how I am going to wake up.”
Some mornings Ms Salib can go about her day without any problems, but other times she might have a seizure or lose control of her arms or legs.
“It saddens me that I cannot sit at the beach, run around like crazy, organise parties or even something simple like going to the supermarket,” she said.
“But I have faith that I will be ok and that all the financial stress of no longer having two incomes and the emotional stress and the physical stress will one day all subside.”
Her husband Michael said she suffers excruciating pain but has never complained about her illness and tries to make their lives as normal as possible.
“I’ve never met a stronger person in my life. She’s right up there. She keeps it positive all the time and never lets it get to her,” he said.
Michael hopes to make a positive start to the New Year and is calling on the community to help. He hopes to create a new backyard for his wife so she can sit outside in comfort.
“She’s not allowed to be out in the sun so I want to make something in the backyard for her to feel comfortable to walk out there, and know she will be out of the sunlight.”
Tim Middlecoat from Custom Outdoor Spaces in Hillside has already jumped on board and encouraged other residents to get involved in the good cause.
For more information on how you can help call Tim on 0423 621 368.
