Meet Alexia - An adventurer taking MS in her stride

Bianca Drieberg | 28 October 2021

“I'm Alexia – I’m a foodie, a go-go-go type of person, I love to travel, and I have multiple sclerosis.”

As if I was set up on a blind date (pandemic-style!), I met Alexia for a video chat after hearing she had a unique story to share. And I’ll be the first to admit my ignorance about MS until we spoke. 

I’m not sure what I expected, but a young, well presented, and articulate professional wasn’t it – she certainly didn’t look sick! Really? What does sick look like? Alexia’s brilliant attitude towards her illness and thirst for knowledge gave me a glimpse of how she manages day to day, as well as on her travels.

Alexia is originally from Adelaide, and when she was 19 she made the move on her own to Melbourne to pursue her career. She was finding her feet, studying, settling into her new job, new home and surroundings. The move was a big deal, but she noticed something wasn’t quite right. 

“Weird things started happening to me. I got it all checked out by my doctor and that's when I first got my MS diagnosis. It was difficult news to take, especially having just made the move interstate.”

Alexia described feeling numbness and pins and needles in her body, similar to the odd sensation of your foot falling asleep, that usually started with her fingers and spread elsewhere. But instead of lasting a few minutes, it lasted much longer, sometimes even for 48 hours.

Receiving the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis wasn’t a total surprise as Alexia’s mum had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis several years before. Their symptoms are different but there were a few tell-tale signs that gave Alexia a nagging feeling she knew what her symptoms meant. 

“I've been fortunate enough that I found certain treatments that help, like infusions that I have every four weeks. Medication has helped control the symptoms and the fatigue. But I just try and get on with life as best as possible,” says Alexia.

Alexia took the advice from her doctor about multiple sclerosis and combined this with what she’d learned through her Mum’s experience previously. She also kept informed about her illness through MS Australia – who provide invaluable information about everything from managing symptoms to medications, treatments and what support was available to her.

“There’s so much information online as well as other people sharing their own experiences. There are so many variations to this condition and I didn’t want to do the comparison thing. I just wanted to deal with my own situation, and I didn’t want to go down any rabbit holes – so I just stuck to the facts and sources of where I got my information from.”

When there was an opportunity to travel to China in October 2019 and raise money for a cause that has impacted her and her family as much as it has, Alexia jumped at it.

“Over the last eight years, I've seen things change and so many other treatment options pop up and it just wouldn't be possible without the money and the funds that are raised to get the research underway and trialled.”

MS Australia had organised a fundraising adventure with Inspired Adventures called Kiss Goodbye To MS, where Alexia and a group of like-minded fundraisers would travel through China with a local guide, culminating in an unforgettable trek along the Great Wall of China. Each participant would raise money for MS Australia and the funds would go towards research that helps create the type of treatments and medication options that Alexia had available to her. 

“I raised close to $7,000 for the trip. There were a few of us that went on the trip, so overall, it was a really good fundraising result,” said Alexia.

“I've always done a fair bit of travel, mostly solo travel though, and nothing like this type of small group travel with Inspired Adventures, so that was all new to me. Every day we trekked a different section of the Wall – some newly restored, others were pretty touristy and even the harder to walk parts. I like to think that I'm pretty fit, but I’ll admit there were some parts that were easier than others, and some days that were quite challenging - but it was great.”

Alexia said the trip was really well organised and catered to different fitness backgrounds, so if she needed to stop for five minutes or drop to the back of the line it was OK, and there was plenty of food and water provided along the way.

It was Alexia’s first time to China which was a whole new experience. Undertaking such a physical type of trip while trying to monitor her multiple sclerosis symptoms was also a challenge, as Alexia had to stay on top of her hydration and fatigue. It was a balancing act, but Alexia said it was so rewarding.

“It's something I look back on. I'm so thankful that I just took the plunge, signed up for the trip and did it by myself.”

youtube-video-thumbnail
Team MS Australia group photo, sitting on the sets of the Great Wall. Alexia's story.
Ruins of the Great Wall of China. Alexia's story
Bianca Drieberg Team Leader
About the author

Bianca is born and bred in Melbourne and travels often. Her love of globetrotting stemmed from running marathons around the world. Bianca is passionate about setting goals and celebrating them, which makes her the perfect person to lead a team with Inspired Adventures. In her time with IA, she’s led treks and cycling adventures in Vietnam and China, which she does alongside her corporate communications career and side hustle of teaching fitness classes. On top of this, she’s passionate about learning more about the charities supported through IA, as it makes for really meaningful work with the inspiring individuals she enjoys getting to know during on adventures.

Find your next inspiring adventure

Create Impact – Ethiopia Adventure

Travel deep into the tribal customs and dramatic landscape of Ethiopia as you create positive sustainable change for the people who live there.

Find out more

Australian Marine Conservation Society – Great Ocean Walk

Take on the Great Ocean Walk alongside like-minded ocean lovers and tackle 100 kms to help raise $100K to protect Australia’s oceans and marine life.

Find out more

Motor neurone disease (MND) NSW – Sapphire Coast Trek

Discover the natural wilderness of the Sapphire Coast to support Australians affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

Find out more

MS Queensland – Nepal Hike

Challenge yourself to climb the mountainous Annapurna in Nepal, all while raising funds to ensure no Queenslander has to face MS alone.

Find out more

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Queensland – Larapinta Trek

Trek deep into the rugged landscape of the iconic Larapinta Trail as you make a difference in the lives of Queenslanders living with the devastating impact of motor neurone disease.

Find out more

Church World Service – Yosemite Trek

Hike through the incredible Yosemite National Park to help the Church World Service transform communities across the globe with sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.

Find out more

Legacy Club Services – Lycian Way Turkey Trek

Tackle the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves of Turkey’s ancient Lycian Way to help Legacy deliver their promise to support veterans’ families through the tough times.

Find out more

Interplast – Bay of Fires Trek

Tackle the wilderness of Tasmania’s clifftop forests and captivating coastline to provide access to life changing reconstructive surgeries and related medical services in the Asia Pacific.

Find out more

Mark Hughes Foundation – Larapinta Trek

Trek the rugged Larapinta trails through Australia’s Red Centre to have a direct effect on the fight against brain cancer.

Find out more

Bowel Cancer Australia – Larapinta Trek

Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the Aussie outback and raise funds to support people impacted by bowel cancer.

Find out more

We’re a certified B Corp, committed to using business as a force for good.