KICKING MS
IN THE NICK OF TIME
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on 12 September 2014.
On 22 May 2017, I beat it.
Nick receives his stem cell transplant in Singapore, 2017.
My story
On the 30th of July 2014 I lost the vision in my left eye. Needless to say, that's a scary thing to wake up to. After going to work and pretending I was ok, I went to the optometrist for a check. Numerous doctor visits and an MRI scan later, I was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on the 12th of September 2014.
It took over a year to really come to terms with the diagnosis. Then we started looking into options, and on the 20th of February 2016 we began fundraising for HSCT in Singapore. We reached a goal of just shy of $200,000 to kick this MS in the Nick of time.
In April 2017 I travelled to Singapore to receive HSCT at the amazing Raffles Clinic. On the 22nd of May 2017 I received my stem cells back and officially started my road to recovery, aiming to get back to a normal family life without this insidious disease hanging over our shoulders. This page helps to chronicle that journey.
The journey so far
30 July 2014
Vision loss
Lost the vision in my left eye and went to the optometrist.
12 September 2014
Diagnosed
After doctor visits and an MRI scan, officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
20 February 2016
Fundraising begins
We start raising money for HSCT in Singapore.
Just shy of $200,000
Goal reached
The community got us there, to kick this MS in the Nick of time.
April 2017
Singapore
Travelled to the Raffles Clinic to receive HSCT.
22 May 2017
Stem cells returned
Officially started the road to recovery. I beat it.
%
% patients with relapsing-remitting at onset of disease
%
% patients with relapsing-remitting that progress to secondary-progressive
5 years on
An MRI showed no sign of disease activity, five years after my stem cell treatment.
Latest posts
25th March – Auction Total, Shave Off, The Final Run!
Auction Total, Shave Off, The Final Run Auction Total: The Auction Total is in!, We raised a whopping $21,685.60 on the night at our auction. And what an amazing night it was to. Thank you so much to everyone involved. All our numerous auction item sponsors, our...
19th Feb – Not Long Now, Events!
Not Long Now, Events! Holy Smokes! This year is FLYING by, I haven't done a full post for a while, but have been busy organizing things in the background for some time. I can;t believe how close it is now until we fly out and this thing actually happens, that is very...
31st Dec – New Year, New Challenge
New Year, New Challenge It is the end of the year, and what a year! Holy Smokes I can't believe how much you have all helped us achieve this year. It is truly amazing, we close the year JUST under the half way mark with: $98262 It is hard to get my head around such an...
13th Dec – An Open Letter to our Supporters
This is an open letter to all our supporters out there all over the world.. It is coming to the end of the year and what a crazy one it has been. I fell like I should start this letter with a few apologies. This fundraising malarkey has well and truly snow balled this...
11 Dec – Star Wars, Grocery Grab, Cake Stall
Star Wars, Grocery Grab, Cake Stall Well. first of all. We had a brilliant time out with Santa on Saturday at the Official Opening of Eastwood Motor Groups new Kia/Suzuki Showroom. Thanks to everyone that came along and a very special thanks to Tom Roseingrave who...
1st Dec – Up and Coming
Up and Coming Just a quick post with a quick run down of things up and coming and some on-going fundraisers on at the moment. We have JUST now booked flights and accomodation for SIngapore which I am not going to lie is scaring the living bejesus out of me. It has all...
In the media
Nick kicking MS
Times-Age, 2022
Five years after his stem cell treatment, Nick celebrates an MRI with no sign of disease activity.
Five-year-old looking forward to doctors fixing 'dad's broken brain'
Stuff
In the Perkins family home there's a chalkboard drawing by Thomas of 'Dad's broken brain'.
'A Silent Disease': Nick's brave battle against MS
Stuff, 29/09/2016
Written by Nick's sister-in-law Angela Morris and shared with Stuff's 415,000 Facebook followers.
Carterton dad's MS battle
Wairarapa Times-Age, 01/09/16
A Carterton man is on a mission to raise money for overseas treatment and get back to being a regular dad.
Auction and generous community help Carterton Dad
Wairarapa Midweek, 06/04/2016
A fun night out and an auction to raise the lion's share of the funds needed for treatment.
Dad pins hopes on revolutionary treatment
Wairarapa Midweek, 10/03/2016
Nick looks to stem cell treatment for the chance to be a regular dad.