The Gift of Multiple Sclerosis

     I am very familiar with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as both of my parents have this disease.  One was diagnosed early in life with mild Relapsing/Remitting and the other more recently with Secondary Progressive.  MS has forever changed our family.  There was a time when I could only see all the negative changes to our lives as the result of MS.  Then, one day during a family dinner conversation, my mother shared with us a chapter titled, “The Gift of MS” in Sawyer and Bacherach’s book The MS Recovery Diet in which the positive impact that MS can have on one’s life is discussed. 

      At first I found it hard to believe that MS had any positive traits at all, but as our dinner discussion continued and in the weeks that followed I began to understand the message of “The Gift of MS.”  My parents were quick to identify the gifts that MS brought to them such as eating a healthier diet, learning new skills, making new friends, and enjoying new activities such as bike riding.  Over time, I too, have identified the gift that MS has given me.  My gift is finding another piece to my career puzzle by giving me greater insight into my career path and the education needed to follow that path. Making long term and short term goals of physical activity helps everyone become and remain healthy.

      Both of my parents are an inspiration to me. I look up to both of them for their achievements in life. The most recent achievement they both succeeded in was completing a bike race called RAGBRAI. It is an annual event, where thousands of people bike 454 miles across the state of Iowa. I am so so so proud of both of my parents for completing this race! They did not let the obstacle of MS get in their way. While they were at RAGBRAI, I contacted our local newspaper, The West Linn Tidings, and told them about my parents journey on RAGBRAI and the inspirational goals they were accomplishing. About a week later, the article made the FRONT PAGE!!! Check it out!

"Pedaling Through Any Challenges"

I also put together a video on iMovie of all their pictures and videos from the trip. The video is so much fun to watch! Check it out!

Doesnt it look like they had a blast?!?! 

I love my family so incredibly much and wouldn't ask for anything different! 

You never know, maybe I'll do RAGBRAI with my parents next year.

peace