There is a great photo making its way around the Internet right now. It’s a little boy dressed up as Batman. The caption reads, “The most important thing in life is to be yourself. Unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.” What kid wouldn’t want to be a superhero! Me? I always wanted to be Wonder Woman.
In 2004 I thought my time to become a superhero had come! The Boston Red Sox beat the so-called “Evil Empire” New York Yankees to go to the World Series. Then the Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to win their first title in 86 years. Surely this was a sign of great things to come! But then I started feeling… odd. My hands and legs were getting tingly, must be my Spidey-sense emerging. The double vision had to be the start of my heat vision. The heaviness I was feeling in my legs meant the Adamantium was taking hold.
I ran this theory past my doctor and he didn’t buy it. Instead of sending me to pick out a super-hero costume, he sent me for an MRI, a spinal tap, and to see a neurologist. Turned out my emerging superpowers were really symptoms related to Multiple Sclerosis. Sure my body changed, but not to my advantage. Turns out my immune system forgot how to work correctly and it started to attack the insulation around my nerve cells. The emerging super powers? This wasn’t me getting ready to join the X-Men. This was the beginning of a different kind of battle.
Today marks the 7th anniversary of my MS diagnosis. It hasn’t always been easy dealing with MS, but Wonder Woman never gives up, so I try not to either. This May 12 I will be captaining my Bike MS team, Saint Kate’s Cycling Saints, to raise money for the MS Society. My goal is to raise $4000 before the day of the ride. I’m asking for you to help me reach my goal. Any donation is a welcome donation, but I would like to suggest one of the following contribution amounts:
$36 – my age this year (I’m not afraid to share this info. For now.)
$86 – the number of years between Red Sox World Series victories
$330 – the number of miles between the Asylum in St. Paul (my house) and Castle Crimespree
That day, I didn’t gain the superpowers I had long dreamed off. But I know I’m a heck of a lot more fortunate than many who are fighting the same battle that I am. Please consider making a donation to the Minnesota MS Society in support of Saint Kate’s Cycling Saints. You can make a donation online atwww.tinyurl.com/stkate2012.
Thank you!