Pedaling for a purpose
in
O'Bryan
I want to update you all on my efforts to pedal 150 miles as a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
And no, I’m not alone in this crazy adventure. More than 200 cyclists will converge on Clinton for the start of the two-day ride Oct. 4-5, all in an effort to promote awaress of and raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and services.
Saturday was a beautiful day for a training ride — all 55 miles of it! Yes, this 51-year-old woman, along with 13 others, rode that many miles of hilly countryside, and loved every minute of it. (Except for the numb toes and fingers, but that was only temporary, or so they tell me!)
I’m blessed to have caring friends who also love to ride bikes. Together, we are putting in up to 100 miles a week training for the MS ride.
The October ride is just one of only where pedalers can do their part to help others. On Sept. 20, cyclists will come together to raise funds for cancer services at Baptist. Other causes range lymphoma and leukemia research to helping save Mother Nature’s landscape.
This Saturday, we’re planning a 68-mile ride and brunch/picnic, followed by a 50-mile ride on Labor Day. There will be some folks half my age along for the ride; others will be even older than I am (yes, dinosaurs did come first).
For someone from North Texas, every bit of green seen from the road is another reminder of God’s gifts. My functioning body (sometimes questionable mind) is one of His gifts. And that’s why I ride — because I can. And most of those with MS cannot.
No one is immune from multiple sclerosis, because not enough is known about its ever-changing symptoms. It attacks each person in a unique manner, and what part of the body it impacts next changes from one day to the next.
I’m blessed ‹ I know (if God’s willing) that I’ll wake up tomorrow with two working legs and arms. (The brain is always a big if!)
I also know that too many others won’t — like my friend, the late Karen Mumbower, a fabulous woman who left us too soon. The late Paula Salter, who lived as full a life as possible, thanks to the strength, devotion and love of those who stood beside her for so many years of illness.
Then there’s Lisa, who so far has been able to keep symptoms at bay. The single mom in Clinton who struggles with MS while trying to keep her family together.
The children who watch their parent struggle, not knowing what the disease will affect next.
See, I am indeed blessed. I’m healthy. And with your support of all of you, we can make a difference.
I’ll keep you all posted. Trust me, you’d rather read about my efforts than see it for youself — I do not look good in spandex bike shorts!
In the meantime, if you want to donate to the MS Society, I won’t turn you down. For details, visit http://msm.nationalmssociety.org.
O’Bryan, of Clinton, can be reached at sobryan@clintonnews.com or (601) 924-7142. Read her blog at: http://www.getfitmississippi.com/blog/1052
