My Childhood with the MS Society

Looking back, many of my memories are filled with MS Society events. When I was two years old, roughly 10 months after my dad was diagnosed with MS, I began volunteering. My mom would bring my older sister and I to the finish line of the bike events to cheer on the bikers as they accomplished their goals. We would often stay until the last biker crossed the finish line.

I remember biking the Twin Cities Ride (formerly known as the 60/30), from a very early age. I can remember sitting on the "co-pilot" bike behind my mom or dad. One particular year stands out, as I recall it was very rainy. With each mile I (my mom) biked, my face got muddier and muddier! The mud from the trail was splashing up onto my face! By the time we finished the 30 miles, I had a reverse skunk stripe up my front, and my back!

When I was in second grade, my friend Allie, her mom Lori, my mom, and I decided to help with the Saturday lunch stop during the 150 Bike Tour. We watched as a refrigerator truck pulled up to the rest stop. "Hey, do you want to help me unload this truck?" The truck driver asked us. We were all eager to help! SO, the four of us together (two 8 year olds, and their mothers) unloaded enough water, food, snacks, and various supplies for 3000 bikers and volunteers. I felt so proud!

When I was in sixth grade, I became the captain of the "Monkeys Team of the Future" Walk MS team. I had just started at a new school, and wanted to show my new friends and teachers how much fun it was to participate in MS events! The first year I had roughly 30 members on my team. By the fourth year (2013) our team consisted of 52 members (can we reach 60 this year?)!

The staff and volunteers at the MS Society are amazing. In many ways, they have been a part of my childhood. My memories are filled with the pictures of friendly, and even family-like faces of those staff and volunteers. As I look back at these events, I am constantly reminded of the love, dedication, care and support from the MS Society. Every time I see MS staff, I am greeted with joy and enthusiasm. They have a special way of making me (and many others) feel important. Perhaps this is because we share a common goal: Ending MS.