What a month, but first ---

I have not blogged since March 2. I will do an update blog by the beginning of next week. It has been a great month, full of friends, family and celebration!

I am here today, though, to put a plug in for my MS Walk team. So far, the team includes Connor and former daycare provider/friend/Kiera's Godmother, Sherri, in addition to me. If there is anyone reading this who would like to join our team, we would love to have you. If, for some reason, who cannot actually walk with us, you can still join our team. There is a virtual walker option! Isn't that great?! If you would prefer to not join the team and you don't really want to fundraise, that's ok too. What we could, of course, use is financial support. Every dollar counts. Please consider make a tax deductible donation today. Seriously, every dollar counts. If you can give $1, $5, $10, $100....any amount works! $3.19, $4.26, $5.28, $6.16....whatever you can afford, however you want to give...it is all appreciated. Not just by us. But, by the National MS Society and everyone who is supported by the National MS Society.

Here's the link:
MS Walk Modesto 2012 -- TEAM --> Rock-Walkin for Nana K

Please check it out and see how you can help. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Why I Walk

After years of symptoms, varying thoughts shared by at least one doctor, and finally another doctor seeing things through, my mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It was August 1993. She was 43 years old, just eight years older than I am now. I was 16. I walk for my mom. I walk for other moms like her. I walk for caregivers like my dad and me. I walk for 16-year-old girls hearing of a parent's MS diagnosis for the first time and not fully grasping what it all means. In my senior year of high school, I changed back to my regular high school from the LA County HS for the Arts. I did this because dad had taken a new job 300 miles north of where we lived, so he was home less. Mom needed more help. And, mom was facing not being able to work much longer. In October 1994, my mom had to stop working. My mom who loved teaching. My mom who loved working with eighth graders (of all students!)...My talented, beautiful mom came home after her last day and cried. All I could do was sit with her. I have walked in MS Walks before. I have walked in LA, Modesto, and Knoxville (TN). I took a few years off from the MS Walk (like 15 years!) but in getting myself back, I am getting back to the things that I love and that I have always supported. I support the Ms Society because I believe that with time we can live in a world where MS no longer exists. But in the meantime, we can provide support and services to those who have MS and to their caregivers and loved ones.

I know of at least four other people who have MS, connected in some way to our family. Chances are you know someone who has MS or a friend-of-a-friend....Please consider helping us today. Need that link again?
HERE YOU GO!