The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

WHILE most men his age have nothing more to worry about than succeeding at their jobs, finding love and maybe starting families, Rashad Cartwright has been given a more daunting responsibility to shoulder – caring for his mother who suffers with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The 29-year-old said being the caretaker of his mother, Harriet Cartwright, teaches him new lessons every day.

“It is different with me being a male dealing with a female. I am learning new things each day as we go along. MS was all new to me in 2014, and just like a lot of Bahamians I was unaware, did not know about it. It is good that you are writing about it, this is where persons can learn about it and understand that it is here in the Bahamas,” he told Tribune Health.

Ms Cartwright was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014 and attempted to go about her life as usual until the symptoms became too debilitating.

“I worked at my job up until 2016, and during that time the condition started to bother me to the point where I started to fall down at work. I was relieved of my job soon after and I have been home ever since. With me falling down, I couldn’t handle it at work,” she told Tribune Health.

The Mayo Clinic defines MS as a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms.

“There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms,” the clinic states

As her symptoms increased, Ms Cartwright paid regular visits to her physician, who advised her not worry too much.

“He told me that even though I have it, it wasn’t going to bother me as much as I thought it was going to,” she said.

From then on she monitored her food intake, as certain foods triggered her symptoms, causing her dizzy spells. In the beginning, her vision gave her problems.

Ms Cartwright said she is thankful not to be alone on this difficult journey. She particularly expressed great appreciation for her son Rashad, who she said is there every step of the way.

“I must give it to him, he is very helpful. It bothers him sometimes, but he tries his best to not show it to me. He keeps me active, asking what I want to do today or what I feel like eating. On a daily basis I like to relax, lay out and watch TV. I like to watch shows like ‘Family Feud’ and soap operas. Also, my housekeeper that is normally here with me, we often talk about things, laugh and have fun. She is a very nice person,” said Ms Cartwright.

Rashad admitted that some days can be rough. He said his mother’s symptoms usually affect certain areas of her body, like her legs, which at times can become a bit “jumpy”. She is currently also experiencing numbness in her feet.

Keeping her motivated, Rashad said, is important. He said he tries to give his mother hope, telling her that one day she will again be able to do the things she once loved.

“Once you keep feeding yourself with that positive energy, then one day you will overcome this mountain. You can’t just sit there and just worry about the circumstances at hand,” said Rashad.

Speaking about a co-worker of his who just recently lost a daughter to lupus, Rashad said even in the face of her own tragic loss she always motivated him, encouraging him to do what is necessary for his mother.

“She knows what she went through with her daughter for so many years so she kept me encouraged, knowing what I am dealing with when it comes to taking care of someone who has challenges,” said Rashad.

“People can read this and see this young man is taking care of his mom. So I believe young persons out there who are taking care of their parents can understand that they are not the only ones going through these things.”

He said he wants tell all Bahamians dealing with sickness to focus on a healthy diet and to avoid stress where possible, as stress can be a trigger of so many conditions.

“Take each day at a time, especially if it is something you have to deal with and cannot change. You just have to go forward. It would also be good to have a foundation in place for MS in the Bahamas somewhere down the line,” said Rashad.