Walk with Me
Donation protected
As most of you know, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 19. 12 years ago, almost 13.
This year I want to raise money for MS research. So I am participating in the MS Walk on May 13th. The walk will take place at the Columbus Zoo. The walk starts at 8am, early I know. However this is for a great cause. Plus, it’s fun to walk around the zoo this early! All the animals are out and active for breakfast!
A little about me- I was diagnosed at 19, but my first symptom was numbness and muscle spasms in my right arm at 15. The spasms went away (although I occasionally have them still). However, the numbness turned into tingling and spread up my right arm and to my left arm. I often explain it like the sensation you get after hitting your funny bone, although not quite as intense. At 19 I had color blindness in my right eye. That’s what caused my diagnosis. It was determined I had optic neuritis by an MRI. (Optice neuritis is the most frequent diagnosing symptom of MS). After that I was stable for many years, slowly progressing in my disease. I would drag my feet and trip but nothing major. The last two years have progressed fast. I can no longer walk up stairs and fatigue extremely easily. I had surgery last year for a Baclofen pump, it’s meant to help my spasticity (which is EVERYWHERE), but it makes me pretty weak too. In spite of all this I still smile and power on. MS is just a diagnosis, it is not who I am, and it will not own my life!!
I know there will be a cure, they are making huge strides in research. It is made possible by all of us contributing a little bit of something. So please, give whatever you can. Even if it's just some of your time! All tne money raised will go to help the National MS society. Check out http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ for more information about MS.
Thank you, every one of you.
This year I want to raise money for MS research. So I am participating in the MS Walk on May 13th. The walk will take place at the Columbus Zoo. The walk starts at 8am, early I know. However this is for a great cause. Plus, it’s fun to walk around the zoo this early! All the animals are out and active for breakfast!
A little about me- I was diagnosed at 19, but my first symptom was numbness and muscle spasms in my right arm at 15. The spasms went away (although I occasionally have them still). However, the numbness turned into tingling and spread up my right arm and to my left arm. I often explain it like the sensation you get after hitting your funny bone, although not quite as intense. At 19 I had color blindness in my right eye. That’s what caused my diagnosis. It was determined I had optic neuritis by an MRI. (Optice neuritis is the most frequent diagnosing symptom of MS). After that I was stable for many years, slowly progressing in my disease. I would drag my feet and trip but nothing major. The last two years have progressed fast. I can no longer walk up stairs and fatigue extremely easily. I had surgery last year for a Baclofen pump, it’s meant to help my spasticity (which is EVERYWHERE), but it makes me pretty weak too. In spite of all this I still smile and power on. MS is just a diagnosis, it is not who I am, and it will not own my life!!
I know there will be a cure, they are making huge strides in research. It is made possible by all of us contributing a little bit of something. So please, give whatever you can. Even if it's just some of your time! All tne money raised will go to help the National MS society. Check out http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ for more information about MS.
Thank you, every one of you.
Organizer
Caitlin Nicole Ramey
Organizer
Dublin, OH