Benefit Breakfast held in honor of Leona Dash
Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

By:Darcie Thom

The Kipling Recreation Centre was filled with Kipling locals and surrounding area residents for a benefit Breakfast, held on Sunday, June 8th in honor of Leona Dash, who has been affected by Transverse Myelitis. A pancake breakfast was followed by an auction, including items and bakings. The Kipling Recreation Centre was filled with Kipling locals and surrounding area residents.

This Neurological Disorder is caused by the inflammation across both sides of a segment of the spinal cord. The damaged area of the spinal cord determines which parts of the body are affected, that segment and the segments below it are affected.

Symptoms of Transverse Myelitis include a loss of spinal cord function over a time span of several hours or several weeks. Sudden lower back pain, muscle weakness, or abnormal sensations in the toes and feet can rapidly progress to severe symptoms, including paralysis, urinary retention and bowel control.

Some patients are able to recover from transverse myelitis with little or no health problems, while others are suffer permanent impairments that can affect their ability to complete everyday tasks and daily living. Most of the patients will only have one episode of transverse myelitis and a small percent will experience recurrence.

Currently, there is no effective cure for transverse myelitis. Physicians often prescribe corticosteroid therapy during the first few weeks of the illness to decrease any inflammation. It is extremely critical for the body to continue to function in order for the nervous system to recover either completely or partially.

Recovery from transverse myelitis usually begins anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks and may continue for up to 2 years. If there is no improvement within the first 3 to 6 months, complete recovery is highly unlikely.