Your worst enemy has a name: high-intensity relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. accompanies her for more than four yearsbut it doesn’t stop her. She is Carmen Ventoso, from San Cibrao, in Cervo, although she works in an optician in Lugo city. She combines everything with her most sporting side: she is the captain and center of the Federópticos Lukus Terra Chá team, in the Second Autonomous Basketball Championship. Keep her name, as she has been proposed to be an ambassador for the 2025 Multiple Sclerosis Meetings.
A year away from sport
Carmen was forced, a little over a year ago, to temporarily put basketball aside. The return was this past October and everything has gone well, although after so much time stopped, the body notices it: “In training I notice, as I say, that I am losing limbs,” says the woman from Lugo, “for example, I can’t feel the sole of my foot.” What he suffers the worst and most affects him is fatigue, although he also has less visual acuity than normal, which aggravates his situation.
At the club they welcomed her again with great enthusiasm and she felt very supported. And for her, family networks, friends and colleagues are the most important thing to cope with the disease.
The importance of mental health
Carmiña’s last break was motivated by several reasons: “I had a change in treatment and that was combined with my mother having a stroke.” With all this, Carmen entered a depression.
For her, it is essential to monitor this disease with mental health professionals as well, which is why she has since been going to the Social Security psychologist at the Lucus Augusti Hospital.
Sport gives life
“This disease leaves scars, in fact that is what the word ‘sclerosis’ means,” says Carmen. But Carmiña is clear that the solution is not to give up sports: “This is what keeps me from being in bed and, although the illness makes me go less, this delays me a little.”
An illness that feels helpless
A few years ago, an outbreak robbed Carmiña, albeit temporarily, of her sight and mobility in her legs. So, when he asked for the disability that belonged to him, they gave him 10%. “And even more so, they assessed it over the phone,” explains the woman from Lugo, “and without being able to see or walk, they didn’t give me even the minimum of 33%.”
“It is a neurodegenerative disease, which is known what it is like and it is known that the person is losing it little by little,” says Carmiña. Therefore, he does not understand this lack of support and support.
An encouraging message
Carmiña also thought the world was collapsing when they named her illness. But he is clear about what he would say to someone who has received a diagnosis like his and, to do so, he resorts to the words of his admired Ramón Arroyo: “Giving up is not an option. You have to get out of bed even if it costs you and win something over.” the illness,” says the basketball captain, who cannot be stopped by anything.
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