By Neto Baptiste
Once at the top of the game across the Caribbean and having won many close battles against her female and male counterparts, former national golfer Kimesha Anthony, is on the fairway, anticipating what could probably be her toughest battle yet, her fight against multiple sclerosis.
A former winner of the country’s Sportswoman of the Year award, Anthony, who was diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune disease in 2018, was forced to give up the game she loved in 2001.
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show ahead of a fund-raising event at the Cedar Valley Golf Course on Saturday to assist with her medical expenses, Anthony gave a glimpse into what it has been like for her over the past years.
“April is going to make five years. Yeah, I keep it on track and I miss golf, so I’m pushing myself to stand up to be able to swing a golf club. If I can do that, I can play golf again. My right hand, I can’t use my right hand at all so I use my left hand to do everything. If I want to take something to drink, I have to pick it up with my left hand and then put my two hands together to drink what I’m drinking,” she said.
The former OECS champion, now 39 years old, said the development has taken a toll on those closest to her, especially her mom.
“It wasn’t good for my mom, I can tell you that much. It wasn’t good for her at all and from the time she realised I can’t use my right hand, it wasn’t good for her, period. It’s been very frustrating because I’m not accustomed to it. I’m accustomed to be able to do whatever I have to do on my own,” Anthony said.
Saturday’s two-man scramble event is slated to tee off at 9 a.m. and carries a registration fee of $200 per player with all proceeds raised going towards Anthony’s cause.
Anthony’s long time manager, friend and businessman, Zorol Barthley, is touched by the player’s bravery and resolve throughout the battle and hopes the public will support the worthy cause.
“Obviously, she can’t seek employment, so she sought self-employment. She opened a shop in New Winthorpes, doing her thing. Like it is said, and Kimesha would boldly say, it is incurable so at this stage, what is needed is obviously going to be health care management, pain management. Kimesha indicates she doesn’t even have pain so it’s the shaking, it’s the weakness, et cetera. What is needed now is support to ensure that consistent gym work can be done. Therapy is privately paid for and funded and supported by a fellow golfer and so, by extension, we are now seeking additional funds to ensure that this can be kept up,” he said.
Registration fee for Saturday’s fundraiser includes carts, breakfast and lunch. Persons can also donate to the cause by calling 720-0663 or 764-3940.
