I have been participating
in various MS Walks since I was first diagnosed in 2009. I started in Ohio and continued when I moved
to Oregon. They have all been really special, but the Corvallis, OR walk this
year is on a very special date.
Had my mother been alive
today, she would have celebrated her 67th birthday on May 9.
That just so happens to be the date for the Corvallis (and Eugene) walk this
year. So my team, the Nutria Fan Club, will be partying this year at the walk.
There will be party hats, noisemakers and CAKE!
I’m sure to get some people to join us with the promise of cake.
I don’t remember exactly
when she was diagnosed with MS, but I do remember it in the summer and I think
I was 13 or so. Although looking back on
her medical history, her neurologist deduced that she must had been living with
the disease for at least 20 years at that point. One particular event stood out in her
mind after my brother Joe was born when she went blind for two weeks. At the time,
her doctors thought she was stressed from having a new baby. She found that
hard to believe since he was such a good baby.
(I find THAT hard to believe since I know my brother.)
Even with such a life-changing diagnosis, she had a good attitude
about having MS and was quite self deprecating. Not being able to walk very straight
due to her disability, she would say that if she put a flask in her back
pocket, no one would ask questions. She even scared us a little bit with her sense of humor. When her friend and coworker with whom she carpooled would call her in the morning before work and ask my mother if she would
want to drive. Even though she had vision problems, she would just point out
that since it was dark outside in the early morning hours, she didn't really
need to see anyway. Then when her feet would go numb, she’d call them her
Spongebob feet. One of the last Christmas presents she gave me was a Spongebob
Squarepants blanket. I still cuddle with it today when I feel like I need to
feel her close.
Even when she learned she
had cancer, she still had a positive outlook and a joke to share. Sadly, she
lost the battle in September of 2004. I miss her every day and know she would
have fallen in love with my daughter. (Who wouldn't?) I miss her the most when I’m having a bad
day with fatigue or pain. Although there are ways to talk with others with MS thanks to the National MS Society,
it just wouldn't be the same as having my mother to talk to about various symptoms
and obstacles.
I want to celebrate her on
her birthday this year. I want to thank her for teaching me how to be positive
and be able to laugh at myself. It makes things a little easier. And because my
mother would never let us combine the days or the presents, we will also celebrate the
following day since it will be Mother’s Day. On that day I will reflect on the 23 wonderful years I had with her and rejoice in the fact that I have a Sandra (my daughter) in my life once again.
All donations I receive for this year's MS Walk will be birthday presents to my mom. If you would like to give my mom a present this year, go to my National MS Society Walk fundraising site. It is tax deductible. When was the last time you gave a present that was tax deductible?
For anyone who donates $67, I will post a picture of my mommy on Facebook with a special thank you.
For anyone who donates $67, I will post a picture of my mommy on Facebook with a special thank you.
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Are you jealous of our mother/daughter perms? |
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