Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Breaking Away


If you know Niel and me, then you know two people whose lives have been impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a degenerative condition that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms can range from a mild numbness to paralysis or blindness. For those with MS, the future is at best uncertain. Every individual is affected differently.

In November 2001 the tip of my left middle finger went numb. In three days time I lost partial function and feeling on the left side of my body. If I extended my arm out from my side, it would flail about as if it had a mind of its own. I could not tie my own shoes, put my hair in a pony tail, or do anything that required the use of two hands. Although I could walk, I couldn’t go more than 25 ft without losing my breath because it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. A neurological itch developed on the left side of my head, neck, back and chest. It felt like my skin was being shrink wrapped to my bones. The best I could do was roll around on the floor crying while I clawed myself bloody. This was the beginning of a very scary and uncertain 3 months of testing…. and waiting.

On February 2, 2002 the official diagnosis came in. I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Relief came just by knowing what it was I was dealing with, but along with that diagnosis came a million questions and a whole new set of fears. The first place I called was the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They had tons of resources available, and the latest information on research and treatment. The understanding and compassion that was relayed over that telephone line was priceless.

Much has changed for me since February 2002. Now when I open my eyes in the morning I am grateful I can see. When I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, I am grateful they hold me up. Another thing that has changed is I try to take care of myself as best I can. Other than popcorn and ice-cream, I eat pretty healthy. I quit smoking about four years ago. Right around that time my friend Eric re-introduced me to my first love and this has been my saving grace, my bicycle. When the uncertainty of my future gets to be too much, I swing my leg over the bike, clip in and pedal through it. I cannot express to you in words how much my bike and the ability to ride it means to me. It has opened up a whole new world for me to live in.

This disease can leave those diagnosed and their loved ones feeling rather helpless, so you can imagine how happy I was to find out that I could help those effected by MS simply by doing what I love to do most…ride my bicycle. I am blessed to have met someone who seems to tolerate me, and shares the same biking obsession. We plan to ride 200 miles together in the Bike MS West Michigan Breakaway on June 12& 13th. If you want to help us change the future for those with MS, you can do so by clicking here. I would love it if you could help Niel and I support the organization that was there for me when I needed it most. Thank you so much for your time and support.