My friends and I don't just fund raise for the health of it... But it's the number one motivater:)
Every year, when the hundreds and hundreds of people ride in the bike to the bay, it might seem like a lot of work preparing for it, and at the same time an amazing experiance; but the main purpose for the ride is to stop MS in it's tracks.
We're a ways off from a cure, but I'll be the first to say the research has benefited me ten fold. If it wasn't for all the awesome people raising money for MS we wouldn't have twelve treatments to slow down progression.
The almost 18 hundred shots I've given myself over the last thirteen years, I'll admit, is a pain in the butt (pun intended...), but when I had my first symptom over thirty years ago all I had was a lucky rabbit's foot (which incidentally, doesn't seem so lucky for the rabbit...) but without the treatments to slow it down, I would surely be a lot worse off today.
Not only do I have treatments available to me, but I also have resources to keep me informed of the latest and greatest strategies to live my best life possible. And I find it impossible to quit fighting this fight with so many people in my corner.
Above, you'll see Janet; an Ambassador for MS lifelines (representing Rebif), and is also living with MS. Rebif is the therapy I've been on for 13 years. Right now I attend monthly meetings, called "Chats", which are held by an MS nurse, who keeps us up to date with the latest advances, and give us strategies for living with the disease.
Craig happens to be the RN who conducts these particular meetings. Every time I go to one I always leave more knowledgeable and hopeful that I can have control of my future.
So, to all of my friends who have been there for me; I can't thank you enough for helping me live a life once thought impossible, and if we don't give up I have faith it will only get better:)
Have a great day!!
Christine:)
I agree 1000% Maybe one day there will be a cure and the opportunity to repair myelin and bring my math expectations back to the knowledge that perCENTs can’t go past 100. ;)
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking I was lucky when I was first diagnosed because it was a year after Gilenya came out and I had a PILL choice in the shot, shot, shot, medication pamphlets my doctor gave me to consider. Now it’s not the only pill available and they are doing research into stem cell treatments and experimenting with myelin repair. Plus the fundraising work you do with Bike To The Bay and that I do with Walk MS and that anyone raising funds and awareness does to help afford things like making places and people’s home accessible is incredible. Seriously, if we help to afford a hand shower, chair and grab bar for someone with MS so they don’t fall in the bathtub between now and a treatment that can fix their balance issues, we are potentially helping to save a life.
I agree with you, whether it donating or just being there for us, the people who support us are the most important and the BEST.