The ‘end’ of his life was only the beginning
A 31-year-old man from Rehoboth shares his journey with multiple sclerosis.
Henriette Lamprecht – He’s the owner of a short-term insurance brokerage, a motivational speaker and his purpose is to inspire others.
Meet 31-year-old Egon Mouton from Rehoboth. Egon is the embodiment of a healthy lifestyle and a strong mind. He strives to live a purposeful life in service of others.
With his zest for life and positive outlook it’s hard to imagine Egon was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) four years ago – a diagnosis he remembers as “the end of my life”.
The double vision and the daily struggle to bath and get dressed were clear signs something was amiss.
“Watching TV I always had to have a close-up view to see what was happening.” Scared, Egon kept it to himself. Because of his double vision, even driving his car was a struggle.
“At times I had to close my one eye to get a clear view of everything.”
Because of the sensation of pins and needles in his fingers and lower body from his chest downwards, even putting on a tie was a huge effort.
“I used to ask my little brother to do my tie and my mom to cut my nails as I couldn’t even do that.”
When he bathed his mom would have to soap his washcloth first, and his hands struggled to remove the bath plug. Lying flat on his belly Egon had to remove it with his teeth. Another challenge was the effort to put small change in his wallet.
“Imagine everybody thinking you’re 100% but you’re not. You’re being killed from the inside, your body is attacking your own immune system.”
At the gym his body was totally out of balance. When doing dumbbell chest presses on his back, Egon couldn’t press both arms together as one would stay behind or be slower.
When he was finally diagnosed with MS, it was “horrific”.
“It felt like the end of my life and my career. I felt unworthy and as if I had no purpose left on earth.”
Today, Egon believes MS doesn’t stand for multiple sclerosis but for motivational speaker.
He started his company and does motivational preaching and talks at companies, churches and schools.
“MS made me tougher. It’s killed the boy in me so the man could be released. I’m not in denial about having MS, but I refuse to make it part of my body and life.”
As a young man Egon acknowledges it was difficult to adapt to a new lifestyle. It was when he accepted God “everything changed”, he says.
He gyms four to five times a week and after a dietary sensitivity test he now only eats foods that are good for him.
Egon decided to share his journey to spread hope and awareness.
“If you have a chronic illness, you tend to feel unworthy and self-pity takes over. The greatest enemy is the enemy within. If you don’t take control of your sickness and situation, you damage yourself and your future.”
Egon wants to show people MS is not the end of your life, but a new beginning.
“You just have to keep the faith and let God be God. Do not let MS control your life. The fight is in your mind, start speaking positively about your life and the lives of others and you’ll start seeing how everything changes.”
[email protected]
Meet 31-year-old Egon Mouton from Rehoboth. Egon is the embodiment of a healthy lifestyle and a strong mind. He strives to live a purposeful life in service of others.
With his zest for life and positive outlook it’s hard to imagine Egon was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) four years ago – a diagnosis he remembers as “the end of my life”.
The double vision and the daily struggle to bath and get dressed were clear signs something was amiss.
“Watching TV I always had to have a close-up view to see what was happening.” Scared, Egon kept it to himself. Because of his double vision, even driving his car was a struggle.
“At times I had to close my one eye to get a clear view of everything.”
Because of the sensation of pins and needles in his fingers and lower body from his chest downwards, even putting on a tie was a huge effort.
“I used to ask my little brother to do my tie and my mom to cut my nails as I couldn’t even do that.”
When he bathed his mom would have to soap his washcloth first, and his hands struggled to remove the bath plug. Lying flat on his belly Egon had to remove it with his teeth. Another challenge was the effort to put small change in his wallet.
“Imagine everybody thinking you’re 100% but you’re not. You’re being killed from the inside, your body is attacking your own immune system.”
At the gym his body was totally out of balance. When doing dumbbell chest presses on his back, Egon couldn’t press both arms together as one would stay behind or be slower.
When he was finally diagnosed with MS, it was “horrific”.
“It felt like the end of my life and my career. I felt unworthy and as if I had no purpose left on earth.”
Today, Egon believes MS doesn’t stand for multiple sclerosis but for motivational speaker.
He started his company and does motivational preaching and talks at companies, churches and schools.
“MS made me tougher. It’s killed the boy in me so the man could be released. I’m not in denial about having MS, but I refuse to make it part of my body and life.”
As a young man Egon acknowledges it was difficult to adapt to a new lifestyle. It was when he accepted God “everything changed”, he says.
He gyms four to five times a week and after a dietary sensitivity test he now only eats foods that are good for him.
Egon decided to share his journey to spread hope and awareness.
“If you have a chronic illness, you tend to feel unworthy and self-pity takes over. The greatest enemy is the enemy within. If you don’t take control of your sickness and situation, you damage yourself and your future.”
Egon wants to show people MS is not the end of your life, but a new beginning.
“You just have to keep the faith and let God be God. Do not let MS control your life. The fight is in your mind, start speaking positively about your life and the lives of others and you’ll start seeing how everything changes.”
[email protected]
Kommentaar
Republikein
Geen kommentaar is op hierdie artikel gelaat nie