'Ready to run and inspire'

Runner: Freak accident 10 years ago changed her life but she has survived and thrived

- Jacques van der Westhuyzen

She's in constant pain and has lost the use of her one leg. In fact, she is just about paralysed head to toe on her entire right side. But four years ago, Nita Avis decided enough was enough; she needed to give her life meaning and started running...with crutches.

With a little hop and a jump she now runs for charity to inspire people and make a difference.

A freak accident nine years ago in 2015, when she fell during a cycling training session for the then 94.7 cycle race in Joburg, changed Avis' life forever.

"I hurt my right leg and almost overnight lost the use of it. I was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome), a chronic pain condition. Only 7% of the world has it," says Avis, of Honeydew in Roodepoort.

"It's the most painful disease or injury or ailment one can have.

"On the McGill pain scale it's at the very top. Because of it I've developed muscular dystrophy and paralysis. I am in constant, extreme pain."

There is no cure.

In 2021, Avis had a decision to make - give up or get up. She chose the latter.

"The painkillers and meds caused my teeth to crumble, my kidneys and liver started to hurt, my brain became foggy. My pain jumped from an 11 out of 10 to a 20 out of 10. I stopped taking the meds. I couldn't any more.

"I said 'enough!' I started doing fun walks with my crutches and then slowly started running."

Avis was soon running short distances in races around Joburg - and then a social media post changed her path.