Some people might call me “perfectionist”. Others might say I have a “Type A personality”. Planning everything out is kind of my thing. I’ll tell you a little secret…I like creating To Do lists. Checking things off the list is my favorite.
Wordsmith Mike Tyson (yes, the ear-chomping boxer) once said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” That’s one way to look at what happened to my plans in 2005. After experiencing tingling and numbness in my hands and legs, as well as blurry vision, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder. Life pretty much jumped up and punched me in the face.
After throwing a short-lived pity party for one, I decided to aggressively fight my MS. I started on daily medication injections, eating better, and exercising. Don’t get me wrong. I still love me a cheeseburger and some (lots of) ice cream. It took me awhile to figure out what kind of exercise I enjoyed and would be willing to do. Swimming? Nope, don’t like getting my face wet. Running? Only if a crazed serial killer is chasing me. Bicycling? This was that exercise that spoke to me. (Puns. Gotta love ‘em.)
Last year I hit a milestone in my cycling. In May I biked 100 miles from St. Joseph, MN, to Alexandria, MN, with my friends Cory and Alex. The ride was amazing and unlike anything I had done before. Not many people are willing to bike that kind of distance. People with autoimmune disorders that could land them in a wheelchair are even less willing to do that kind of ride. I didn’t let my MS hold me back. I hit the trail and had the ride of a lifetime.
Not everyone with MS is as fortunate as I am. This is why I am raising money for the MS Society by taking part in the Twin Cities Bike MS Ride on May 10. This is a 25-mile bike ride to raise money and awareness of MS. My goal is to raise $4500 for the MS Society. As an incentive and a thank you for those who support my team, Saint Kate’s Cycling Saints, I am staging a one-woman bake sale. It works like this:
$30 donation = 1 dozen Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
$60 donation = 2 dozen Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
$90 donation = 3 dozen Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
$100 donation = You call the cookie and I’ll bake a batch for you
Donations can be made online at www.tinyurl.com/stkate2014. Your donations go to the Upper Midwest MS Society to help fund research and help those with the disease.
Iron Mike made a good point about plans falling apart. Life punched me in the face. I’m punching back.
Kate Malmon

Kate Malmon (on the right)

Kate Malmon (on the right)