A WOMAN who shares a paralysing disease with her sister is set to have a potentially life changing operation after being inspired by a Knutsford Guardian article.

Sarah Styles, who has multiple sclerosis, is currently in Bulgaria for a radical treatment which is not available in the UK.

The 38-year-old decided to have the £6,000 procedure after reading about Mereside Road resident Colm McLaughlin.

Colm had the chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) treatment In July and spoke to the Guardian about the ‘amazing’ results.

Sarah, of Mobberley Road, said: “To hear there was something out there gave me hope. It was exciting to meet Colm and understand what the procedure was.

“Since then it’s been a journey of frustration, anger and disappointment that I can’t have the operation in the UK.”

CCSVI treatment involves opening a patient’s blocked vein to prevent iron deposits in the brain and there have been a huge number of success stories since then.

But it has divided the medical community since a woman died of a brain hemorrhage during the procedure in America in August 2009.

Sarah, who previously worked as a manager at Pennine Acute Hospital Trust, added: “When my appointment was confirmed, there were so many thoughts going through my head.

“Can I afford to do it? Do I want to do it? What are the risks?

“But having met Colm and listening to his story and how he improved almost immediately - that was all I really needed.

“I feel excited and scared but also hopeful.”

Multiple sclerosis has caused a great deal of misery for Sarah and her family when she was told she had the disease in 1995.

Then in 2002, there was a glimmer of hope as a neurologist in London told Sarah it was a false diagnosis.

But she was rushed to hospital in May this year when she was once again diagnosed with the illness.

Sarah, who has lived in Knutsford for five years, said: “I broke down in tears at the reception desk. I couldn’t get the words out because I was so upset.

“My mum and dad Barbara and Eric were devastated. When I told my dad he cried and my mum was inconsolable.”

Then the family faced a further blow when Sarah’s sister Alison, 41, was diagnosed with a mild case of MS three weeks ago.

It is understood that the disease affects siblings in one of 160,000 cases.

Sarah added: “My sister said it wouldn’t happen to two sisters - that would be too cruel.

“I said cruel doesn’t come into it. But God works in mysterious ways as we’ve bonded over this.

“We text and phone each other every day. It’s my job to keep her strong.”

Sarah, who is in Bulgaria with her partner Paul, hopes the CCSVI treatment will reduce her pain, bring back strength to her hands and left side and reduce fatigue.

She also hopes her story will inspire others.