Non Smit

 — and How He Turned His Journey Into Support for Others A story of faith, endurance, and a life lived in service despite decades of uncertainty When Theodore Bentley reflects on his life with Multiple Sclerosis, he does so with honesty, humility, and remarkable grace. Now 78, Theodore believes he has lived with MS since the age of 16 — long before the disease was recognised, understood, or diagnosable in South Africa. A Childhood Illness That Never Fully Resolved In 1962, as a teenager, Theodore became severely ill and was bedridden for six weeks with intense pain. Doctors diagnosed him with rheumatic fever following a tonsillectomy, but the explanation never fully made sense. Countless tests over the years provided no clarity, and the pain became an ongoing companion in his life. Decades later, in 1989, everything changed. “I woke up unable to see properly and had a rash. A skin specialist sent me to an ophthalmologist, who suspected MS.” A neurologist at Tygerberg Hospital began extensive testing — MRIs, lumbar punctures, evoked potentials — and monitored his blood monthly to rule out other conditions, especially given that Theodore had lived in Namibia. Eventually, MS became the most accurate and consistent explanation. Retrospective testing revealed he had never had rheumatic fever, but Glandular Fever, which had likely triggered the long-term immune complications that evolved into MS. A Diagnosis in the Early HIV Era Theodore’s worst symptom flare coincided with the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis, when fear was widespread and medical knowledge was limited. Support systems were almost non-existent. He describes the uncertainty of that period as deeply frightening. But he did not walk it alone. A PhD student selected Theodore’s case as part of her research, offering him support and structure at a time when very little was available. His church community rallied too, surrounding him and his family with prayer, companionship, and practical support. “I had to learn to cope with depression and fatigue. My moodiness and lack of patience were difficult for my family. It’s a miracle I have a wife, family, and friends.” With renewed strength, Theodore returned to work and held onto his managerial role — determined not just to survive, but to find meaning. Turning Pain Into Purpose Faith became a central compass. Theodore studied theology and eventually served as a pastor, offering care and comfort to community members facing illness. Sitting beside those who were suffering, being a shoulder for others, and offering spiritual companionship became one of the most meaningful roles of his life. This work allowed him to transform struggle into service. A Family Built by Love and Determination Theodore and his wife married at 22. After years of struggling to conceive, they adopted their son. Later, to their joy and surprise, they welcomed a daughter. Today, their home is filled with grandchildren — a family Theodore describes as a blessing beyond measure. Staying Active, Staying Connected Movement is essential to Theodore’s well-being. He and his wife walk regularly — often in Kirstenbosch Gardens, or in shopping malls when the weather is unpredictable. He also enjoys golf with friends, even when MS symptoms make it challenging. His health challenges are ongoing. Swallowing difficulties, sinus issues, and continuous battles with medical aid authorisations are part of his life. But what troubles him most is something many people with MS will recognise: “One thing I struggle with is when people say, ‘But you look so good.’ It feels like a dagger in the back — like they think I’m not really sick, or that I’m crazy.” Invisible symptoms remain one of the most painful and misunderstood aspects of MS. Theodore’s Advice for Others Living With MS His guidance is heartfelt, simple, and wise: “Find a compassionate doctor who listens first. My first doctor didn’t hear me — I walked out and found one who did. Now we face the illness together as a team.” Beyond medical care, Theodore encourages small but powerful daily habits: “Get up, dress up — it helps your well-being — and show up.And above all, trust in the Lord.” Theodore’s life is shaped by decades of uncertainty, pain, resilience, faith, and love. His story shows that MS is not only a medical journey — it is a human one, woven with relationships, belief, perseverance, and purpose. Through everything, he has found strength not just in surviving MS, but in using his experience to uplift others.

A story of courage, motherhood, and choosing joy every day Born in Johannesburg as the youngest of three, Tina Angelos grew up surrounded by brothers who toughened her spirit and sharpened her resilience early in life. She later qualified as a pharmacist and then pushed herself even further, earning a business degree from WITS. Ambitious and determined, Tina built a thriving career — first as a Business Strategist, then a Management Consultant, and finally in Financial Services. But during her last corporate role, she began to feel that something was not quite right. Wanting better balance and more time with the people she loved, she made the decision to join her family’s group of companies. It was there, in 2005, that her life shifted dramatically: she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at just 30 years old. Facing MS Head-On At the time, MS was far less recognised than it is today, and treatment options were limited. Tina reacted poorly to the medication available — a regimen of multiple weekly injections that left her feeling as though she had full-body flu. Yet she refused to let MS define her. “I am madly in love with life, so I decided I would not let MS rule mine — easier said than done.” The physical, emotional, and lifestyle adjustments were immense, especially early on. But Tina kept showing up, day after day, choosing to keep living boldly and fully. Motherhood: A Journey of Hope and Heartbreak When Tina decided it was time to grow her family, MS added layers of complexity. She stopped her treatment, grateful to escape the harsh side effects — but this came with its own painful consequences. Over several years, she endured seven miscarriages and multiple MS flares. Eventually, she realised that even the strongest among us need support. With renewed determination and the right help, Tina and her family welcomed two healthy boys through surrogacy. Today, she is the proud mother of two sons, aged 9 and 11. “Being a mom is the best gift from God.” She balances motherhood with running the Industrial Sector of her family’s companies, often travelling locally and internationally for work. Life is full, demanding, and deeply meaningful — just the way Tina likes it. Finding the Right Treatment — and Stability As she continued educating others about MS in her early years of treatment, Tina realised she needed a specialist who truly understood the disease. She found a new neurologist and shifted to monthly IV infusions. It was life-changing. “I’ve been on my infusion for 12 years and am currently in NEDA — no evidence of disease activity. I’m incredibly grateful.” Her lesions remain — a reminder of the storm she has weathered — but there has been no deterioration. A Life Anchored by Movement, Mindset, and Support Tina thrives when she is moving. She swims, walks in nature, and proudly swims at MSSA events to help raise awareness and funds. Heat worsens her symptoms, so she keeps her movement light and intentional. When indoors, she turns to crime shows, business reads, and the sacred ritual of morning coffee. But what truly keeps Tina grounded is her commitment to mental well-being. “Your mindset is everything. You need constant emotional and mental support.” She works closely with a psychiatrist, attends monthly appointments, and adheres to her medication plan — not out of weakness, but out of wisdom. “I take my antidepressants so I can be the best version of myself. No one can do this journey alone.” She also speaks openly about MS — with friends, colleagues, and family — because she believes education reduces misunderstanding and creates safer spaces. And above all, she practices kindness toward herself. “Only you know exactly how you feel. Give yourself solitude. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself.” Her Message to Others Living With MS Tina believes that while each MS journey is unique, people with MS share powerful common experiences. Her advice to anyone navigating MS is simple, compassionate, and practical: “Lean on one another. Reach out to people you trust. Ask direct questions. Take control of what you can — and for the rest, let the process take its course.” Tina’s life is a testament to courage, purpose, and choosing joy even when the path is steep. Through her commitment to her family, her career, her mental health, and her MS community, she shines as a powerful example of what it means to live — truly live — with MS.

Closing MSSA’s 75th Anniversary MS Hero Series As Multiple Sclerosis South Africa (MSSA) celebrates its 75th anniversary, we close this year’s MS Hero Series with a story that reminds us of resilience, grace, and the quiet courage found in everyday living. Today we meet Arlene Aldawaimeh, our twelfth and final MS Hero of 2025. Over the past year, eleven South Africans have stepped forward to share their deeply personal journeys with Multiple Sclerosis. Together, they have helped dismantle misconceptions, challenged outdated stereotypes, and offered hope to thousands of families across the country. Arlene now joins this powerful collection of voices — and her story is a fitting finale. MS remains underrepresented and often misunderstood in South Africa. But this is changing. MSSA continues to raise national awareness, support families navigating complex care pathways, and advocate for equitable access to treatment. Our heroes have played a vital role in this mission, creating a growing library of real-life experiences that newly diagnosed individuals can turn to for comfort, clarity, and connection. As we round off our diamond jubilee celebrations, we extend our heartfelt thanks to every gem of a human who shared their journey with us this year. Meet Arlene: The Woman Who Chooses to Start Each Day With a Smile Arlene spent most of her adult life in the corporate world. Even after her MS diagnosis in 2013, she adapted, adjusted, and kept working through shifting demands in the workplace. But after the pandemic, her physical abilities changed, and life asked her to pivot. At 54, Arlene embraced a new chapter — one that traded office commutes for a home-based role helping people plan the travel experiences of their dreams. Travel has always been one of her great loves. She laughs when she says her camera bag was always heavier than her clothing bag. These days, travel is a little harder, but she hasn’t lost her connection to the world. Now she helps others explore it — and finds joy in helping them do so. At home, Arlene has created a peaceful haven: a garden sanctuary filled with quiet corners where she can reconnect with nature. When she can’t be outdoors, she immerses herself in wildlife documentaries and engineering shows — small joys that have become part of her rhythm. A Long Path to Diagnosis, and a New Way of Living Arlene’s MS journey began long before her diagnosis. For two years, she experienced unexplained flares and strange symptoms. When her neurologist finally confirmed MS in November 2013, she felt relief. But she quickly learned that diagnosis is not the end — it’s the beginning of navigating a life shaped by highs, lows, adaptations, and choices. “Aside from all the negative things, I don’t like to give them too much space in my life. MS has taken plenty — but it has also made me more sympathetic to others fighting their own battles.” Her perspective shifted. She now chooses her battles carefully, finding strength in stepping away from conflict and choosing peace — something she once thought signalled weakness but now sees as a quiet act of self-preservation. Her faith, she says, has been reignited. She no longer fears tomorrow. “Whatever I have to deal with today, I won’t fear what comes next. And yes — I still plan to travel, to enjoy the wild, and to enjoy my life.” The Ongoing Challenge: Finding the Right Support Team Like many people living with MS, Arlene has found that one of her biggest challenges is accessing the right team to support her physical well-being. “I’ve been searching for professionals who can help with specific physical exercises — muscle stimulation, core strengthening, targeted areas. I only wish I had started this earlier when I was still more mobile.” This is a common reality across South Africa, where specialised MS-trained allied health support remains limited. Arlene’s story reflects the broader gaps MSSA continues to advocate around. Arlene’s Message for Anyone Newly Diagnosed Her advice is one of the most powerful messages in this year’s series: “You are braver and stronger than you realise — more resilient than anyone will ever give you credit for.When you feel like giving up, look back at what you’ve already overcome.Reward yourself for the small victory’s others might not see, but that feel huge to us.Choose to remember what that feels like.” For Arlene, the hope is simple: she wants to be remembered for more than just having MS. She wants to be seen for the woman who chooses joy at the start of every day — even on the hard ones. A Fitting End to Our Anniversary Year Arlene’s story closes our 2025 MS Hero Series with exactly what this milestone year deserved:honesty, courage, hope, and a reminder that life does not end with MS — it simply reshapes itself. Her journey is a tribute to the human spirit and to every person who has walked alongside MSSA over 75 years. Here’s to Arlene, and to every MS hero who shared their light with us this year.

Movement changes everything.In this video, Martyn works closely with his biokineticist, Hendrik, using targeted exercises to improve his drop foot and overall mobility. A powerful reminder that with the right support, consistency, and an expert who understands MS, meaningful progress is possible. Supporting people with MS is not only about treatment — it’s also about movement, connection, and the right guidance. Today we’re sharing an inspiring educational video featuring Martyn, one of our community members, working with his biokineticist Hendrik. Their focused work together has led to remarkable improvements in Martyn’s drop foot, balance, and overall mobility. This is what a patient-centred, practical approach looks like: targeted exercises guided corrections consistency over time building strength safely and effectively Martyn has been living with MS for many years, and one of his biggest challenges has been managing drop foot and the impact it has on his gait and functional movement. Working closely with Hendrik, he followed a structured, MS-informed movement programme designed to activate the right muscle groups, rebuild strength, and restore functional mobility. The progress shown in this video reflects more than physical improvement — it highlights confidence, control, and the value of MS-knowledgeable allied healthcare. Martyn’s commitment, combined with Hendrik’s guidance, demonstrates how meaningful change is possible when movement becomes part of everyday life. At MSSA, we are committed to sharing real-world examples of what works for people with MS in South Africa — from exercise and rehabilitation to peer support and community-led learning. Watch the video to see Martyn’s progress and the techniques that supported his journey.