‘I just push forward’: Docherty on campaigning with MS

Organizing a political campaign is a tough undertaking with a lot of things to take into consideration but the Mark Docherty campaign has one more thing to work with – Docherty’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Up until his diagnosis in 1998, Docherty had run triathlons, competing all over the world including in the world championships in Hawaii.

“I’m used to taking things on and pushing myself, which was a big piece of this,” said Docherty.

The diagnosis took him by surprise but he didn’t let it keep him down. Docherty said his first thought was, “Now what? How do I take this on?”

He has tried several different treatments over the last two decades, including flying to Bulgaria for an angioplasty. Right now he’s on a strict diet and swims for exercise.

This is Docherty’s third campaign – he has won the last three for the Saskatchewan Party in Regina Coronation Park.

Docherty said it’s important to get out and meet the voters, but that can be a little more difficult for him as he doesn’t move as well as he used to.

So Docherty is strategic about his door-knocking – he doesn’t go up and down the block knocking on every single door. Instead he targets voters, driving around until he finds people who are outside or sees lights on, or his volunteers will let him know when they’re out and find someone willing to talk.

“(It’s) because I want to meet them as opposed to coming to a door that somebody’s not home. If somebody’s not home, then I’ve wasted a lot of energy when I could actually take this as an opportunity to meet them,” said Docherty.

“I don’t want to waste the time or the energy when I can actually meet somebody, and that’s the best use of my resources, physically, personally and strategically.”

Mark Docherty, Sask. Party candidate for Regina Coronation Park. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

And speaking to people on the doorstep, Docherty said he feels fine as long as he’s not standing still for too long.

COVID-19 precautions are a consideration as well. Docherty said he tries to set an example, always wearing a mask and making sure that he keeps a safe distance.

Every now and then, Docherty has a bad day like many with MS, but he doesn’t let it stop him from working. He said he hasn’t missed a day of work since he was elected.

“If it’s mobility, I can figure that out,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a little bit more pain, but I just adjust because it’s day to day and you have to because this is your life.”

Docherty said it takes fortitude to keep going with everything but he had that even before being diagnosed.

“I just push forward – I don’t know how else to do this,” he said. “I don’t know how else to do it besides rolling up my sleeves, tightening my belt and getting out there because it’s people and there’s nothing like democracy. People want to be heard and they want to know full well that you’ve heard them.”