Multiple sclerosis is a disease that limits but does not incapacitate, a message transmitted by the professional World Padel Tour player Mapi Sánchez as a patient and example of overcoming this neurological disease
Mapi Sánchez Alayeto and her sister María José. EFE/Javier Lopez
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that affects the central nervous system of one in 3,000 people in the world, mainly affecting the brain and spinal cord, architects of the control of all bodily functions.
most cases are diagnosed in people between 20 and 40 years oldbeing more frequent in women and can also appear in children, adolescents and the elderly.
Quality of life does not influence its appearance, since several elite athletes suffer from multiple sclerosis. This is the case of the basketball player Assier of the Church or the professional padel player Mapi Sanchez Alayetoboth winners of the VI Merck Salud Foundation Solidarity Awards for Multiple Sclerosis.
The disease of a thousand faces
Mapi’s professional career was at the top of the World Padel Tour ranking when he learned of his diagnosis.
«The truth is that at the beginning I had a pretty big slump, I’m not going to lie. The first thing that came to my mind were negative thoughts, disability and progressive worsening»
share the player
Normally the immune system protects the body, but in the case of this disease the myelin attacks the neurons by mistake. Not all symptoms appear equally in all patientsnor with the same intensity, which is why MS is known as “the disease with a thousand faces”.
«There are days when the body is so tired that it does not have that spark that I need to train at a professional level. The outbreaks I have had have been loss of sensitivity in the legs, vertigo and dizziness»
Mapi account.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that makes life unpredictable, a cause that affects the quality of life of the patient, his family and friends.
«In the end today you can be fine, but tomorrow you don’t know. You have to enjoy life. The mind always helps a lot to be well to the body, so you have to be positive»
advises the athlete.
Nowadays there is no cure for this diseasebut there are more and more treatments that keep it at bay: pharmacological therapies, treatment of outbreaks, symptoms and rehabilitation treatment (physiotherapy, psychology, social work, neuropsychology, occupational therapy and speech therapy).
«Everyone I tell him that I have sclerosis tells me that 10 years ago the treatments had nothing to do with those that exist today. Now I am with one that keeps me quite stable, for the moment ».
a social example
Mapi received the Merck Foundation award for her social work and example of self-improvement for patients affected by this disease.
His project ‘Example of effort, sacrifice, perseverance and energy’ received the award in the ‘AprEMdemos de ell@as’ category for contributing their grain of sand and making this disease visible.
«I am a character, let’s say the public, who wants to show that in the face of the difficulties we all have, we have to overcome ourselves, get up every day and be positive. There will always be better days
expresses the professional paddle tennis player.
Multiple sclerosis continues to be a stigmatized disease, which is why one of the objectives pursued by Mapi is to contribute to its normalization.
“When you think of multiple sclerosis, you think of disability, a person in a wheelchair. I think there is information, but not all of it or the correct one. Today, with good health and medications, you can lead a fairly normal life, as long as they work for you and you are controlled»
emphasizes the elite athlete.
One of the recent projects in his social fight against sclerosis has been the organization of a paddle tennis tournament in Zaragoza, his hometown, with which to raise funds for the Dance with MS Association and continue advancing in the investigation of the disease.
Compete against multiple sclerosis
Mapi Sánchez shocked the sports world by publishing her diagnosis with her community. “I was hesitant to make it public, but I decided it was the best because I would possibly have more outbreaks throughout the year,” says the athlete.
«I found a response from all the followers who showed me all their support and affection. The truth is that this made me gain more strength for that hard moment»
share Mapi.
Her life changed and the competition increased its difficulty as she found herself “more tired, without good feelings” in her body.
«With my neurologist I talked about leading a normal life, but I did not see my life as very normal. I demand great efforts from my body every day, and not only in what is the competition, but in trying to be at the highest level at all times.
The strength of the player has helped overcome the adversity of the diagnosis. Her multiple sporting accolades reflect her refusal to give up and her dedication to her collective shows her positive influence for people with multiple sclerosis.
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