Many
of you have already received a similar version of this. Over the next few weeks, many more will. In case my outreach doesn’t extend as far as
I wish, I’m sharing my message here.
On August 6-7 I rode. For the 14th consecutive year, my
resolve and commitment in this fight against multiple sclerosis peaked in a
glorious Bike MS weekend. My takeaways
were plentiful. Most important, however,
was the single driving message I learned so long ago: Never Stop… Never Quit…
Please review this event report, covering some
of my most precious highlights.
Afterward, please consider a strong donation of support for my 2016
fundraising efforts: main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/EMBK.
After final preparations on Friday, I trekked
down to Monmouth, OR to greet the arriving members of Team Amulet. 25 riders
joined Brie, Eleanor, and me this year on our team. Though a bit smaller than some past years, the
mix still blended every aspect of our lives: friends, family, neighbors,
co-workers (both old and new), as well as new found connections. After site
set-up and some short Friday celebrations, I settled for the night in
preparation of a long day Saturday.
I
Rode
Definitely the most important claim to stake
was the fact that I pushed, dragged, and cursed my failing body out on Saturday
morning to tackle the course. I had more
than my fair share of support getting me out, from my fellow rider helping me wrap
a bike glove over my cramped and knotted left hand, to Brie strapping my bike
shoes, to the group of fellow riders helping me ease my body down into my
recumbent trike. It’s humbling to need
such support for basic tasks, but he fact that I never even have to ask is a
most amazing thing. My friends know my
limitations, even better than I do or will admit, and they are there waiting to
help…
I lifted my leg to lock my shoe into its clip,
effectively strapping down a limb that provides little pedal power these days. I finally felt ‘at home’. There are few places my body feels completely
at ease these days, but this is one. The
only close comparison I can share is that elation I felt every time I climbed
into a helicopter seat (way back when).
Just being there make everything better; pain, cramping, numbness, and
tingling symptoms, normally ever-present, seem to drift away when I ease into
my trike. I know they’ll return, but
just not now. Maybe that’s one reason I
enjoy these moments even more!
All my body was able do this day was the
short, flat route of 18 miles. I rode
with fellow-Amulets Brie, Sue, and Tommi on the course. Like an energetic little puppy, I’d often
burst ahead a bit, then slow down to circle back and rejoin my team. On occasion I would have grand thoughts of extending
my course or tackling some hills of the longer routes. That wasn’t going to
happen this year. A few seasons ago, I
rode the 100-mile ‘century route’ and tackled the 4,500’+ of elevation. The satisfaction of 18 miles and 150’+ of
elevation would have to suffice this year.
Strangely enough…it was still truly exhilarating!
Highlight
#1
The greatest part of Saturday was near the
end. After an incredible ride, relaxation, and celebration with our 600+ Bike
MS family, we were treated to an outdoor movie showing in the early
evening. To kick off the night’s theatre,
all the children in attendance gathered up front, where I read them the story
of My MS and E.
As I read our story, Eleanor flipped through
the pages for the huddled group. The
story is kind of like memorization of West Point Plebe Knowledge by now, as I
can easily recite the tale backwards and forwards on command! That gave me the chance instead to stare into
all the young faces present and relish in their wonderment. All I could thing was “Here I am reading a
story to this adorable group of children, my words echoing across the
campground to the whole group in attendance.
I’m telling a story that’s a tale of my own personal fears and struggles;
a story that I’ve now published for all the world to read!” That’s a world away from anything I’ve ever
experienced before. Nothing compares to
that moment. I never expected to ever
feel this level of emotion reading a simple children’s story.
Highlight
#2
Sunday morning threatened to take the wind out
of my sails as a building pain in my knees added to my standard array of
ailments. I wasn’t looking forward to
the ‘Victory Ride’ either. The day’s
events started out with a 1-mile loop around the camp perimeter road, completed
by 57 riders this year who battle MS.
The I Ride With MS stage is a thank you to all supporters, as well
as a motivation to us fighting.
Writing is easy for me, as I can hide behind
my keyboard and share my emotions, thoughts, feelings, and fears. This short
ride puts me out in front of everyone. I
fear the display and often considered passing on the moment. I’m so glad I did not!
I rode with Bonnie Iglesias and Michael Braem
for the loop. If you ever need to find
inspiration and motivation, look no further than Bonnie and Michael. When I met them, some 9 years ago, neither
could ride. Walking was a chore barely
experienced, yet they continue to fight.
They never let obstacles hinder the effort to gain and do more. As we rode, I watched them. I reminded myself over and over: if Bonnie
and Michael can make such an effort to do this, I owe it to them, my family, my
supporters, and me to try…to work just as hard.
Every once in a while, I need my own series of
reminders as to why I fight and why I need to push further. Bike MS reminds me that the fight is not over
and it won’t be over until a cure is found.
I will do my best to put my fight into words,
and share the need, value, losses, and victories of life with MS. Your support and donations will help us find
that cure. Please support my fight. main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/EMBK
Thank You!
Love,
Kevin
The fight is not over and it won’t be over until a
cure is found.
It will never stop…nor will we
It will never quit…nor will we
This is why we ride…write…fight!
Never Stop… Never Quit…®
Kevin Byrne
Portland, OR
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