Amanda Watson

Don't doubt this girl's ability! Amanda, 35 has an outstanding passion for life, not to mention an admirable drive for accomplishment. As she tells herself everyday, "I am, I can and I will!" Amanda believes this philosophy applies to anything that she does or wants to achieve in her life.

Amanda, now based in Newcastle, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1997 at the age of 25 - when she was in the prime of her life. She was engaged to be married and forging a successful career in the banking industry when she had her first exacerbation and her right arm stopped working.

In August 2004, Amanda had another major episode, which affected her whole left side and she now uses a walking frame to remain mobile. After 16 years in the banking industry Amanda was retrenched. However, this has opened up other doors and given Amanda the opportunity to discover her "creative" side, after being introduced to the art of ceramics and ceramic painting by a friend. Amanda may not dance or go to her beloved aerobics classes anymore but she is creating her ceramic plates and after only one year has started to sell her works of art.

While she "would love to raise millions of dollars for Multiple Sclerosis Limited", Amanda was keen to become an MS Ambassador because she desperately wants to raise the awareness of this unpredictable disease. MS Australia - ACT/ NSW/VIC has helped Amanda in so many ways - by providing endless information and support, offering immunology and urology advice and even providing access to a wheelchair when the need has arisen.

As for the future, Amanda has just three goals which most of us would take for granted - to remarry, become a mother and to return to Europe to visit her favourite city, Paris! Amanda's bright and bubbly personality, her irrepressible determination and her positive attitude, ensures that she most probably will!

For more information

If you would like to book an MS Ambassador call (02) 9468 - 8300 or email ambassadors-nsw@msaustralia.org.au