Alberta MS sufferer grateful for out-of-country stem cell treatment

More than nine years ago, Shelly Adams believed that she would no longer physically afford the same opportunities she has now, but after her battle with MS, she would like to give a special thanks to the community that supported her through her journey.

Adams explained that she has relapsing-remitting MS, which eventually led to her situation going downhill quickly.

“I couldn’t take care of myself, I couldn’t take care of my children, I had to sell my house, and I was put in a really precarious situation, and it was very scary,” Adams said. “It was one of the darkest times of my life, of not knowing what was going to happen.”

This eventually led to Adams learning about stem cell transplant treatments. After researching more on the topic, Adams learned that treatment would be around $40,000 in India, rather than $100,000 everywhere else in the world.

From there, the community rallied behind Adams to help send her to India and receive the treatment she needed. Although she doesn’t remember the details, she does note that Crystal Kerr spearheaded a few fundraising initiatives that she’ll never forget.

“She went to Save-On Foods, and was able to put a tent out front to sell lemonade, and the fire department would come and buy a glass for $100,” Adams said.

From businesses like No Frills that allowed customers to donate at the till for Adams, Mehtab that hosted a fundraiser through a dinner and silent auction, the Cochrane Lions Club who gave Adams $10,000 for her treatment, and many others who helped her cause.

“Words don’t really capture the amount this has affected me,” Adams said. “I feel I have a chance at having my purpose in life again, and that’s all I ever wanted.”

After raising enough money, Adams made the trip in 2015 to India where she received the much-needed treatment. Following treatment, Adams said she spent a majority of time healing. She still feels the benefits of the treatment, adding that she needs very little assistance compared to before her treatment.

Now, Adams now practices CranioSacral therapy and SomatoEmotional release. Her practice, www.ShellCranioSacralRMT.com opened their official website on Sep. 15.

“I realized I can go back to work now; I can do what I love to do, what I’m mean to do, and I what I’m trained to do,” she said. “It gives me purpose again, […] and I’ve refined it because of my challenges, and I’m so grateful for that because everything I’ve gone through made me who I am today.”

Through her whole experience, she believes that this is both a testament to the will power of any individual, but also the generosity of the community.

“And as I’ve stated a number of times, I’m deeply grateful I am by this community,” Adams said.