Maritimers call for experimental MS treatment
Many from region say liberation therapy has helped them
Last Updated: Friday, July 30, 2010 | 8:04 PM AT
CBC News
MS patient Shirley MacLeod, the wife of Cape Breton MLA Alfie MacLeod, recently received the treatment in Mexico. (CBC) Patients across the Maritimes are calling on their provinces to fund an experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Many people in Atlantic Canada are stepping forward with stories of how they have gone to other countries to get the therapy, known as liberation treatment.
Shirley MacLeod, the wife of Cape Breton MLA Alfie MacLeod, said she just returned to Nova Scotia from Mexico, where she received the treatment.
Two weeks ago, MacLeod said,she was in a wheelchair, having lived with MS for 15 years. She said the treatment has made a dramatic difference.
"I am able to get up, able to walk. I even got to dance twice in the last two weeks."
On Wednesday, Nova Scotia announced the province will not follow Saskatchewan's lead in exploring the controversial treatment.
Earlier in the week, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said his province is willing to fund clinical trials and hoped to persuade other provinces to do the same when premiers meet next week.
MS approached as vascular disorder
The therapy is based on the thinking that MS is a vascular disorder that can be treated by opening constricted veins in the neck and chest.
MacLeod said doctors' fees and the trip to Mexico added up to about $15,000.
"I think it was well worth it, well worth it. But again, it upsets me to think … it could have been done out of Halifax and MSI would have probably covered it."
Jeff King, a Prince Edward Island man whose mother has MS, has started an online petition arguing that the controversial treatment should be provided in Canada.
"There's no reason why we shouldn't have it in our Canadian medicare system," King told CBC News.
He said if his mother, Judie, wanted the treatment, she would have to travel overseas, as other patients have done.
"I'm asking just mainly for … numbers to show that there's Canadians that believe these treatments should be done on our turf — instead of basically getting these patients to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to travel all over the world," King said.
Claire Bungay, a P.E.I. woman who travelled to Poland for the treatment a few weeks ago, said she has shown steady improvements since returning home.
"I noticed right away I could walk better," Bungay said. "I could lift my right leg over my left leg without having to haul it over with my hand. That was huge."
The 47-year-old mother of three said the $15,000 she spent on the trip was worth it.
Discussion of the treatment will also be on the agenda of health ministers when they meet in September.
"I guess like a lot of the other jurisdictions in Canada where it's not currently covered as a medicare service, we will remain open-minded, and we will see what is presented," said P.E.I. Health Minister Carolyn Bertram.
