My
Dear Donors and Supporters,
Much
of my free time is spent planning, writing, and fundraising for our fight
against MS. Unfortunately, there never
seems to be enough time to finish all work I start. Of the many duties I am short on this year,
most important is the responsibility to thank my supporters of our fight. I need to pause and take a moment for that
now.
First
and foremost, thank you. While searching
for ways to better define my thanks in words, I read back through recent articles
on managing my MS (after 16 years, my desire for guidance and ideas remains strong). I came across this gem:
Set
Priorities
Nothing is more exhausting than a to-do list
filled only with things you “should” do. That’s especially true for those with
MS, who need to conserve their limited energy. Instead of saying “yes” without
thinking, start with “no.” Make a daily activity log, and prioritize items into
those you must do, those you'd like to do and those that would be nice to do if
you have the time and energy. Focus on the higher priority items -- those that
are truly important to you. When possible, enlist the help of others when
tackling that to-do list. ^1
So
much is there in only one paragraph; it’s hard to select a single reaction over
all others. I’m torn between two, from
the echoes of my friends and loved ones who will chuckle at this note and say, “I’ve
been telling you that all along,” to the nagging voice in the back of my head
insisting “there is no way in hell I will start with ‘no’. I’m bred to say ‘yes’ without thinking and I
have no intention of backing off.” An
ideal choice must be to work with something in between those two.
Jumping
headstrong into a bounty of projects and efforts, I usually run out of time and
energy well before I satisfy my list, yet I’ll readily commit to adding more
without thought. Here is where I have an
army to offset my limitations. My
support spans from Brie and Ellie, my loves and energy; to our terrific team
captains, Tommi, Sue, and Matt; to our wine & beer fundraising champions of
Michelle, Tom, Shannon, Bob, and Tim; and finally the never-ending list of
loving outreach I receive every day from you, my family of donors and
supporters.
I’ll
often commit to fundraising efforts hoping, or knowing, someone will help me cross
the finish line. Still, there are some areas
I must hold tight and see through myself.
Those areas contain my gratitude and dedication.
Your
support and donations fuel the only option I have for a healthier, active
future: research. Current treatments are
not holding my disease at bay. Maybe, at
best, those efforts are slowing further progression of my MS. I’m not ready to have the term “it could be
worse” satisfy my hunger to find a cure, my desire to resume my old activities,
or my wishes to explore a wealth of new adventures with Brie and Eleanor.
After
13 years of fundraising in support of our fight, your support continues to define
the mantra fueling our every step: Never Stop… Never Quit…
I
can think of three ways to share my thanks; three efforts I will never push off
for others to complete without me.
I Ride
Tomorrow, for the 13th year, Team Amulet
rides! With temperatures forecasted
around 99 on Saturday, I’m not sure what my body will have in it. I’m planning on 64-miles; I would love to do
81; I hope I can do 33. It’s hard to
watch my physical abilities fade so quickly but one saving grace remains. Whenever I finally cross the finish line, at
whatever distance I was able to ride, I will have left nothing in my
reserve. Saturday is for boasting about what
I can do (thanks my incredible treatment and support), just how far I can go
(giving 100%), and what I have to look forward to when we do find the
treatments or cure I need.
Tomorrow, and every chance possible until we
find the cure, I ride.
I Write
My MS created a need for me to talk and vent on
my fears, hopes, losses, and optimism. Eleanor,
and the Portland Veterans Administration teamed up in the most unusual manner
throughout 2009 and ’10. They provided
me a constant audience for my stories. For
sharing this load, surely Brie remains in their debt for many years to come!
That strange trio sparked a love for writing within
me before my legs and arms started to fail, not as compensation for these
issues. As a result, my words share my
emotions rather than comfort them.
Writing is one of the few activities never hindered by my disabilities. Through the ebbs and flows of my struggles,
words are one constant outlet for my energy.
My heart overflows with gratitude for all my readers
who support me with their encouragement.
Since starting with the VA on 4/15/10, this will be my 52nd
blog. My journal to Eleanor, My Little
Love, already holds over 2,200 pages of her Daddy’s life. My first attempt at a novel will hopefully be
drafted in full, ready to edit, by the end of the year. There may be another future for me when I retire
yet again someday!
I’ll Never Stop… Never
Quit
At the risk of standing on this soapbox far too
long, I must share again the reason why I do everything to support our fight. I’ve already written this countless times but
the message reigns true.
Why it this weekend so vital?
It is a fight. For
approximately 2.3 million people with MS worldwide, the fight is not over and
it won't be over until the cure is found.
It will never stop….nor
will we
It will never quit….nor
will we
This is why we ride.
Thank
you again for your incredible support. I
welcome everyone to join me on this journey; together we will see this fight
through!
Love,
Kevin
* Inspiration: Metallica, “Fuel”, Elektra, 1998
