Martyn van den Berg Shares How MS Taught Him to Find Hope

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Martyn van den Berg has set his sights on hope and takes aim at learning new things in 2025 despite living with Multiple Sclerosis.

South Africa (26 February 2025) – This year marks a very important celebration for Multiple Sclerosis South Africa. The incredible organisation is celebrating 75 years of raising awareness and support for South Africans with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). To honour those South Africans, we are delighted to highlight their inspiring stories as they face the unknown battles with their bodies to live life to the fullest. Today, we meet Martyn van den Berg.

The disease is still underrepresented in South Africa, but that is about to change! Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA) is raising the profile of the disease, offering support for families and raising funds to help make a difference. Their goal is to unite Africa and create a federation for the continent that will empower thousands of sufferers.

We hope to highlight many stories for their 75th anniversary: a diamond jubilee, so to speak. It is a celebration of all the gems who aim to make living with MS a little easier.

What is Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. Symptoms can range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis.

Every case is proving unique, and the progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving closer to a world free of MS.

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. MS is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system. Today, over 2,500,000 people around the world have MS.

There is so much more to the disease, which we have shared for World MS Day 2023 here.

Martyn’s Take on Life with MS:

With MS affecting women at a much higher rate than men, Martyn van den Berg shared his journey with the disease, helping raise awareness for the men who face this disease, too.

For Martyn, the first sensations of MS started in 2007 when he was just 26 years old. It started as a tingling in his left leg and calf. By 2008, his GP suspected it was either a stroke or MS and immediately referred Martyn to a neurosurgeon. He was hospitalised and underwent polygam treatment. Polygam is a medicine used to strengthen the body’s immune system and to lower the risk of infection in people with a weakened immune system. However, they were unable to confirm a diagnosis.

“After starting a new job, medical aid declined the treatment, and I was advised to seek a second opinion. It was by divine intervention that I landed up with an MS specialist neurologist who could make a positive diagnosis.”

The diagnosis came as a major shock and set Martyn down a path that would expose him to feelings of uncertainty, disappointments, regrets, loss, and doubt. Thanks to the support of his neurologist, who he joined in 2009 and who has treated him to this day, Martyn has found his footing in the community and knows what steps to take to take care of his needs.

“What I have learned from MS is to avoid stress and stressful situations, hold onto hope, and appreciate that each day brings new blessings. My philosophy is: “Any day above ground is a good day.”

One of Martyn’s greatest challenges has been losing his mobility and not being able to walk or move without assistance. He was medically boarded at the age of 39 and has faced many excruciating surgeries on his spine and back. Despite these challenges, he found a sense of purpose.

“My triumph lies in helping others. Being useful and relevant gives me purpose.”

“I am a living testament to victory. Ten years ago, I experienced multiple relapses yearly, hoping for treatment that could help.

In 2017, my neurologist changed my treatment, and by grace, I have now been relapse-free for about four years.

No matter how dire your situation seems, focus on hope—your health and circumstances can improve.”

Martyn has remained passionate about his hobbies; he completed his firearm training and competency in 2024 and plans to join a local sports shooting club in 2025.

With his sights set on learning new things this year, Martyn hopes to share that even when things get challenging, have faith in yourself and find something to focus on that will bring you true joy. Hope is everything!