The Shout-out Heard Across the Country

By David Chatel, Executive Vice President, Advocacy

On September 13 at 1:30 p.m., Challenge Walkers in Williamsburg gave a very loud “shout out” to the Southern California Challenge Walkers, kindred spirits also walking in the Southern California Challenge Walk some 3,000 miles away.

What an inspirational weekend! My wife, Mary and I volunteered at the event and were so touched and inspired by the people that participated, volunteered and supported the Challenge Walk.

As an American history buff, I really enjoyed the Challenge Walk route. I talked to many challenge walkers that remarked that the victory of the first settlers in establishing a community also reflected the MS community's own victories in overcoming the challenges that many living with MS often are faced with. The two day Challenge Walk started in the area of Yorktown and wound through the Revolutionary battlefields of that area including Surrender Field where General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. The second day began in the area where John Smith established the first American Colony in Jamestown near the James River in Virginia.

After the first day, Challenge Walkers, volunteers and staff enjoyed a celebratory dinner followed by entertainment by Dean Shostak, one of only the ten glass harmonica players in the world. Dean played the instrument that had been invented by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century and has since become obsolete.

We also came together during the Candlelight ceremony and I was moved by the inspirational stories from all different kinds of people affected in some way by MS. We all formed a large “Circle of Hope,” representing the unending commitment and support to everyone living with MS. I shared the following poem I wrote reflecting the power of people to change the world through sharing their light from within to the world.

Lighting the Way

A spark from your heart
Spreads your light all around
Touching others with feelings
That will amaze and astound

With a bright burning flame
From within-reaching out
You transform the world
Bringing hope where there’s doubt

From a sea filled with darkness
There emerges a glow
Your torch touches the water
Creating ripples that grow

The road rushes toward you
From a destination unknown
Yet your vision sheds light
And a bright future is sown

Raising a torch in your hand
With a flash from your heart
You motivate others
To join in with their part

With a chorus of candles
Beaming light –waves unfurled
A beacon shines brightly
To enlighten the world

Your power is mighty
When you seize each new day
With the courage to lead
Your flame lighting the way

 

As Challenge Walkers arrived in Zable Stadium of William and Mary College, celebrating the end of their 30 mile trek, Mary and I smiled when we witnessed them raising their arms to the music from Rocky. In closing speeches, we heard inspirational stories from Denise Kellum and Sandra Doddy, two young women living with MS and Challenge Walk participants.

I’m sure the Challenge Walkers’ feet were aching and their legs may have been cramped a bit, but their spirits were strong and buoyed by the knowledge that they had accomplished something which was extraordinary and transformative.

Challenging Chesapeake Ends Spring Challenge Walks

With the completion of last weekend’s 30-mile Chesapeake Challenge Walk I’ve got now 80 miles behind me on the 2009 season. It was another great Challenge Walk event - this time on Maryland’s eastern shore, where somehow they were able to find a route with no – nada – zero- hills or elevation gain. We traveled a beautiful two-day route, blessed by perfect walking (and bicycling) weather. Even better, the route was almost entirely on paved trails and little traveled roads, with views of the Chesapeake Bay and an occasional eagle and osprey spotting along the way. I searched for two days for the elusive and colorful Baltimore oriole without any luck. Guess I’ll have to go check out ESPN to see the wingless kind (unless the baseball team has migrated to some other climate?).

This event combined the chapter’s 2-day bike ride with its 2-day Challenge Walk and it was amazing how the staff and volunteers managed the complicated logistics of both events simultaneously. We were spoiled with water and rest stops every 1-2 miles, cheerful volunteers (even the pirates were grinning but that might have been the grog they appeared to be swigging through lunch) and plentiful road support. Cyclists reported the same great service – so hat’s off to the Maryland Chapter for accomplishing this incredible feat for our feet.

Speaking of Incredible Feats, I want to say thanks again to Team Incredible Feat and team captain Dotty for providing corny sidewalk jokes all along the way, both days. Mom and one daughter walked, dad and the other daughter rode ahead on their bikes and wrote out funny, puny jokes all along the route. Now that’s dedication!

Some of my favorite stories this weekend came from Team Fairbough, whose team captain Dave will be completing his 16th Challenge Walk this summer. He’s so crazy about the event, and so committed to finding a cure for his sister Faith, that he’s participated in every walk in the Mid Atlantic Chapter out of Charlotte, and six of these Maryland walks as well. After walking alone his first year, he’s been recruiting friends and family members – and making every solo walker feel welcome – ever since. His team is the one of the biggest and raises a whole lot of money. Brother Steve told me, “we’re not quitting until we find the cure.”

It will be fun to re-unite with many of my new Chesapeake Challenge friends at the fall Challenge Walks. The walk locations are so close together in this part of the country that many folks can just as easily drive to Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia or Philadelphia to participate in a walk. At least a dozen of these folks plan to do one of those other walks, and I look forward to seeing them later in the fall.

Speaking of which, my next walks don’t pick up again until next September, so this blog is going on temporary hiatus until later this summer. It’s been fun sharing my spring with you, and I look forward to updating you again next fall when the Challenge Walk 2009 season picks up again after Labor Day. Take care until then.

Off to the Next Walk - Maryland Here I Come

Wow. What happened to that long stretch of recovery time I thought I had between the last Challenge Walk and this upcoming weekend? Two weeks seemed like plenty of time for the blisters to heal (they have), the calves to unknot (just barely) and my big toes to stop throbbing (should have avoided high heels for one more week). Hard to believe my second Challenge Walk of the season is just 48 hours away.

I’m not much better prepared than I was last time around, but I’m certainly not lacking in inspiration and enthusiasm – especially when I reflect on the many friends and fond memories from the St. Louis Challenge Walk two weeks ago. Here’s a photo we just received of my husband John (on the left) with walker Rundell Lewis celebrating the completion of 50 miles at the finish line that Sunday morning.

And I’ve enjoyed continuing to hear from some of you about the challenges you’re taking on, too. A special thanks to Cathy R up in Wisconsin for sending along a cuddly care bear. She said “This bear’s name is Chocolate and I hope he will make you smile. A good squeeze and he’ll warm your heart. If it’s a really bad day you can toss him because like many of us MS’er’s he’s tough and cat take it.” Cathy is training to join the walk in Wisconsin – a daunting task – but one that she is determined to do. If you want a Chocolate all of your own, she says to go to http://www.themsshoppe.com/ and check it out.

This weekend I’m off to the Maryland Chapter for their two-day, 31 mile event – with a twist. This is the only chapter that has combined the Challenge Walk with its two-day, 150 mile Bike MS event. While we won’t be sharing the route with bicyclists (a good idea, I think, given our tendency to take over entire roadways as we walk and talk) we will be sharing some of the pain (albeit in different parts of our anatomy) the overnight facilities (dorms with real beds!) the evening program, and the finish line celebration.

I wonder how, or if, the stories of MS cyclists will differ from those who join the Challenge Walk? Stay tuned, and I’ll let you know what I learn from this week’s walk-ride adventure.

“Next year, I’m going to walk!”

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that last weekend’s Challenge Walk in St. Louis was one of TWO Challenge Walks that launched our 2009 Challenge Walk season. The other event was in our Charlotte, North Carolina area – the site of the very first pilot Challenge Walk nine years ago.

My colleague, Cyndi Zagieboylo, attended that event, along with her teen-aged son, Evan. Here are some of the comments she sent me after returning late Sunday night:

This was a fabulously supported event. There was nearly one volunteer for every walker. And throughout the 50 miles, the people of Gaffney, South Carolina were exceptionally gracious and welcoming and they wanted to know more about our reasons for walking.

I want to share some particularly special stories with you:

Team Sisters Act Repeat convenes every year from all over the country—the furthest comes from Albuquerque. They walk in memory of their brother and they have matching shirts for each day of the walk.

Pound tar team walks in memory of Steve O’s father who would not accept Steve’s complaining when he was growing up in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Steve’s dad would tell a whining Steve to go “pound tar” if he didn’t like the house rules.

Claudia came from Northern NJ to walk for the first time. She took on walking to get healthy and it worked. She’s dropped 90 pounds since August and she looks GREAT! She wanted to take the challenge for a cause and now she’s hooked.

Alan walks for his daughter who lives in San Diego. He was texting her all along the route. Alan is an avid Red Sox fan and we had a great time reminiscing (and crying over) the 1986 World Series game 6 against the Mets.

Donna has MS. She’s on the Challenge Walk committee and is nicknamed “mayor” because she made things happen in her home town of Gaffney. She used all her contacts and got lots donated for the event. At the candlelight ceremony, she shared what it means to her to participate in the event…no matter how far you can walk or what you can do…the important thing is to be together and to support each other.

Dr. Dave oversees the medical support for the event. He does it to support his wife, Ellen, who cares so deeply for her sister with MS. Dr. Dave is instrumental in helping people stay safe and well. Ellen led those interested (including me) in a wonderful Yoga session Friday and Saturday nights.

Maybe the best thing about this weekend was that my 14 year old son, Evan, came along with me to serve on the volunteer crew all weekend. As we marched together over the finish line, he whispered in my ear “Next year, I’m going to walk!”

Sounds like Cyndi’s experience at the Charlotte event was every bit as meaningful as mine. If you want to experience a slice of the Challenge Walk yourself (it’s completely painless) click this link http://www.challengems.org/ to see their just-posted video from 2009.

What an Experience!

Back home from our first 3-day, 50-mile Challenge Walk -- the Dean Team Automotive Challenge Walk for MS in St. Louis, Mo. What an experience! We were blessed with near-perfect weather all three days, an interesting and varied route through the neighborhoods of St. Charles, O’Fallon and St. Peters, Mo. -- down the KATY trail with an outstanding overnight facility at St. Charles Community College. I paid the price for my lack of training, of course. I learned the nifty trick of popping blisters using a needle and thread -- pulling the thread all the way through the blister and leaving the thread there so it can continue to drain. My feet looked like an odd kind of pin-cushion by Saturday night with threads sticking out all over, but I must say, the procedure was successful. And I’ve been assured that black toenails will be back in fashion again this summer.

In spite of these relatively minor discomforts, we loved every minute. From the time John carried the state flag of Colorado through the starting line Friday morning to our entry into the victory stadium Sunday afternoon, we held dozens of conversations with folks who have a wide perspective about MS and about what our response to MS should be.

There were about 150 walkers -- nearly 20% of whom actually have MS. They were an inspiration to us all -- from Rick who ran more miles than he walked, to Brian who needed 12 hours to cover the 21 miles on Saturday. Their words of testimony at our circle of strength ceremony Saturday night brought many of us to tears.

Most of the rest of the walkers have loved ones with MS -- parents, spouses, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, favorite cousins, best friends and valued colleagues. Several took this weekend away from their full-time caregiving responsibilities. Widowers walked in honor of the wives they lost to MS. Sisters came to support their sisters. Forty of us were “newbies” to this event. But as soon as the weekend started, we were enfolded in an atmosphere of love, acceptance and friendship. We started out strangers, and came across the finish line 50 miles later friends and, to a great degree, family.

I learned from this weekend that there is great value in providing meaningful opportunities for people living with MS to come together and share their experiences. I learned that common suffering builds very strong bonds -- be it the minor suffering of heat rash and shin splints or the major suffering of your own, or a loved one’s, diagnosis with MS. I learned again how important it is to challenge ourselves to do more than we thought we possibly could. And I was reminded again that while there is great hope for many of those who are or have been more recently diagnosed with MS, the monstrously sinister side of MS still lurks, stealing precious energy, memories, talent and movement from young adults just when they’re starting to live. Thank you, Gateway Chapter, for being such gracious hosts to John and me this weekend. You’ve set a very high standard for our launch of the 2009 Challenge Walk season.

In two weeks I’m off again, to Maryland for their two-day event. More friends coming my way! And I’m bringing along an extra sewing kit with lots of pre-threaded needles, just in case.