Mr. Speaker, I stand today to talk about a number of brave women who have all taken a big step to try to improve their quality of life. These women all suffer from MS, and they have all either had or are scheduled to have the controversial CCSVI treatment.
Dianne Hepburn was wheelchair-bound for 18 months. Remarkably, she is slowly walking again.
Joyce Ziegler and Deb Knapp, very good friends who due to MS thought they would never again take a walk together, are now planning that walk.
Mandy Maisonneuve has enjoyed many improvements since she had the procedure.
Tammy Graver, Kathy Broeckel and Paula Harron all have dates set to have the procedure done. We wish them great success.
This procedure cannot presently be done in Canada. I know it will be someday, once clinical trials are complete. We must all work together to see that this happens as quickly as possible.
We all know that this procedure is not a cure for MS but it has certainly improved the quality of life for these women from my riding. We wish them continued improvement.