A controversial surgical procedure was the last chance for a Fruitvale man to avoid spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Unfortunately, with the relatively simple day surgery not available in Canada, in order to walk again, he had to go to Mexico.

Matt Berukoff and his brother Dan both suffer from the crippling effects of multiple sclerosis. Matt’s case, however, is much more serious and progressive.

“I was toast. Basically it was my last resort - I was one step away from being in a wheelchair,” said Matt.

When they left for Cabo San Lucas last month, they were filled with hope and anticipation; both brothers were to undergo a procedure that would open up blockages in their veins and liberate them from the disease that has plagued them for years.

When they left, Dan had a significant limp and Matt had to be wheeled across the tarmac to the airplane. An MRI revealed an 80 per cent blockage in Matt’s jugular while Dan had 70 per cent blockage in his vein.

In the last four years, Dan has lost feeling in his left side, causing his foot to drag, numbness and cramping.

The brothers had the surgery on Sept. 17 at a clinic in Cabo San Lucas. The procedure took about two hours and the men felt an immediate change.