Charlie went to her doctor after experiencing a debilitating bout of vertigo, where it was confirmed that Charlie would be navigating the rest of her life with multiple sclerosis. She was unable to ride in the MS charity ride with her team, instead driving behind them in a car, supporting them by patching busted tires, providing water, treats, and encouragement.

Charlie’s biggest symptom of MS is instability, partly due to vertigo and partly due to a developing weakness in her left leg leaving most movements, including walking, very difficult even for short distances. But she is not deterred by the things she can no longer do, instead looking forward at new activities she can try, and new technology that open other possibilities.

I am not powerless, I can use tools to modify how I move through the world, and although there are some hobbies that are in my rearview mirror, long-distance bush walking for example, there are other activities that have started taking their place such as joining a local open-water swim club..

After watching a fellow in in her department ride into university on an electric trike, Charlie saw the possibility of riding bikes open back up in her future. Thinking to herself:

That's a bike I could ride! And bonus, it would boost me along the many hills of my city!.

But financial restraints mean that saving up for an electric tricycle is slow.
Charlie is a PhD student, studying pollination in Australian fruit crops. While she receives some allowances during her studies and has a pet-services business on the side, the rising cost of living and ongoing medical bills means that savings are being dipped into more and more. The MS Go for Gold Scholarship can help achieve her dream of getting back on a bike.

I could go on bike rides with my husband. I could travel to the shops to buy groceries and move my body at the same time. I could enter a team of riders in an MS bike event once again, allowing me to give back to an organisation that has done so much for me. I could feel the wind in my hair again, generated by my own velocity..

Thanks to the help of everyone who has supported an MS Mega Challenge event, Charlie can get back to the activity that she loved and do so safely.