A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer who shared the story of her life-changing operation with the Guardian has inspired six more people to have the procedure.

Sarah Styles, of Mobberley Road, had pioneering surgery in Bulgaria which is said to reverse the effects of the paralysing disease.

The operation has divided the medical community as only anecdotal evidence exists that it is effective.

But Sarah says she is reaping the benefits as her speech and hands have improved and she no longer suffers from fatigue.

At the time, the 38-year-old appealed to our readers to get in touch if they suffer from MS and wanted to hear about the treatment.

She has now spoken to six people, including one person who has had the procedure, two who are about to have it and three who are on the waiting list.

“It makes me feel very humble,” Sarah told the Guardian.

“I want to help other people because no-one helped me – nobody in the medical profession told me about this treatment.”

Liz Smith, of Chester, has now had the chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) treatment after being inspired by Sarah.

“I’m now able to start planning my future – that’s the bottom line of all this,” she said.

“What I want to do is work and show I can create an income rather than scraping by on benefits.

“It’s like being in a hole and not knowing how to get out of it.

“The improvements are amazing. I can now feel the clothes on my legs.”

CCSVI treatment works by opening a patient’s blocked vein to prevent iron deposits in the brain.

Sarah added: “Medical companies readily supply MS drugs which have risks but angioplasty of veins has been practised for other procedures for years.”

Campaigners have recently had a breakthrough as the treatment is available for the first time in the UK, at the Essential Health Clinic, in Glasgow.

But the operation costs almost £6,000 and Sarah passionately believes it should be available on the NHS.

The former manager for Pennine Acute Hospital Trust added: “There are so many people out there who are not aware of how MS sufferers are being treated.

“Unless they have a friend or relative with the condition, they are generally unaware of this breakthrough treatment and we’re being prevented from having that treatment.

“Many MS sufferers are not able to work and can’t afford the treatment, but if they had the treatment they might be well enough to work.

“Why should people suffer? It’s not fair.

“I want to help as many people as I can and I won’t stop fighting until it’s on the NHS as it should be.”