Shine

This is my first year participating in the MS Walk. Last year at this time I had just completed my first half marathon (January 19.2009). I could not have told you then what Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was. I knew it was a disease, but nothing more. I could not have told you how long the journey would be from symptoms to diagnosis. I could not have told you that many MS patients have to wait months, even years to get the official diagnosis. I could not have told you the daily challanges one must face with MS or about the physical and mental pain someone with MS has to endure. I could not have told you of the total loss of control over ones body that occurs with MS. I could not have told you how it feels to fail at being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, all because you are too exhausted to function. I could not have told you how easy it would be for an extrovert to become an introvert. I could not have told you how difficult it is to tell your three little girls that once again "Mommy does not feel good" or the pain that can consume you when you look into those eyes only to see their disappointment of another day "Mommy needs to rest". LAST YEAR I COULD NOT HAVE PUT A FACE TO THIS DISEASE...

Well that was then and this is now. On January 21, 2010 I got confirmation by a second MS specialist. The face I will see when I hear the words Multiple Sclerosis will be my own. It's been a long year. It has been quite a journey up to this point. The road called Life has taken an unexpected turn in a direction no one would willingly choose for themselves. I may not have chosen this path, but He who did is where my faith lies. This journey is not my plan, but His. I will follow. As I follow I find that my plans are still the same, to be a devoted wife, to be a momma who encourages, inspires & supports my girls to be the best they can be. To be a friend who treats her friends the way she wants to be treated.

So when I ask you to support me in this new challenge, I ask you to SHINE a light on all who are stricken with this disease. I ask you to SHINE a light on the fact that there is no cure for MS. I ask you to SHINE a light on how much work needs to be done. I ask that when you think of MS, you think of me and that thought makes you want to SHINE a light on HOPE. Together, we will find a cure. Please walk with me April 24, 2010 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC. Please be a part of my team (The Village People). Please thoughtfully consider donating to the cause. My goal is to raise $5000. To SHINE my light on a CURE.