I was only 22 years old when I first heard the words “you have multiple sclerosis”. I felt scared, angry, betrayed… but mostly, I felt alone. I spent what felt like ages, drifting from moment to moment, asking God: “Why me?”.
Then, one day, I got an answer.
In 1996 I attended my very first WALK for MS. I had seen a brochure, and thought I had nothing to lose by checking it out. In fact, I had everything to gain. There in front of my eyes were hundreds of people, all of whom who had in some way been touched by MS, and all of whom who had come together with a single, common purpose…
To end MS!
From that day forward I knew I would never feel alone again. A random chance led me to volunteer at my local WALK two years later, and I have never looked back since!
i have since become one of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s most visible and prolific spokespeople and volunteers, and I am proud to say that I am one of only three people to ever be named to their Volunteer Hall of Fame!
Today, I spend much of my time talking to others, be they people with MS and their loved ones, potential donors, or corporate partners, sharing the story of my journey and leading by example – showing people that they can be victors over this disease instead of victims of it!
Sadly, my disease has begun to worsen, but I will not let that stop me from doing whatever I can to help find a cause and cure for this insidious disease – and to finally end MS!
Therefore, I am putting my moeny where my mouth is, and am embarking on what is sure to be the biggest challenge of my life, as I attempt to climb 17,600 ft. to Mt Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Asia, using a specially designed wheelchair called a Trail Rider™.
It will be daunting at times. It will be overwhelming at times. But, like I said, I am going into this determined to be a victor, not a victim, and when I finally make it back to the comfort and security of my apartment, it will be with the knowledge that my world will have become infintiely larger than it ever was…
… regardless of the size of the room I might find myself in!
