All of the literature on the MS Challenge Walk promises it to be a life changing experience. It is. The changes start far before setting a single foot on the Cape Cod trail. One of the things we have learned as a team is that MS touches many more people than we ever imagined. At every event, we meet someone whose life has been touched by this disease. Some of those, who have generously sponsored us, have asked us to represent special people in their life. We're honored to do so.
William Rowland
Diane Pierro, a client and friend of Blister Buddies team member Joan Pena, shared her Dad's story with us. Her love and admiration for her father mirrors that of the families we've met on our journey.
"A native of Massachusetts, my Dad, William Rowand, was born in Sommerville in 1920. He lived in Lexington most of his life and currently lives in Susanville, CA. My Dad was in the Army in Germany during World War II when he first became paralyzed. He was sent to a hospital in Germany. The paralysis crept up to his chest. At first, physicians didn't know what he had. He was placed in isolation and given penicillin. He was finally diagnosed with MS and told he was going to die. He proved the doctors wrong. The paralysis progressed quickly and he was told he'd never walk again. He insisted he would.
In addition to losing the ability to move, he lost the sight in one eye. He was transferred to a hospital in the Carolinas and spent the next year and a half in hospitals. With the help of a fantastic physical therapist (and a good deal of guts) he came home walking. I'm told he refused to come home in a wheel chair and crawled off the train.
As far back as I can remember, he has always walked holding himself up by holding his knees together. The last few years he's had to rely on the metal crutches that fit over his arms, but his arms are losing their strength now.
He's been falling down a lot this last year and has finally bought a motorized cart (NOT A WHEELCHAIR) to get outside to feed his deer in Susanville, CA. He also just bought a wheelchair for inside the house for when he needs it. He hasn't used it yet, but it's there when he's ready. I think his positive attitude and determination have kept him going all these years.
He's an amazing person and I know there are many, many people out there like him. Over the years, as quiet a person as he is, he has talked to several people who were diagnosed with MS and I've seen them go from a wheel chair to walking after talking to him and seeing that it can be done."
Diane and family, the Blister Buddies proudly walk in support of your inspirational father!
Cindy Sorvillo Baloga
For the third year, the Blister Buddies proudly walk in support of Cindy Sorvillo Balgoa. Cindy is the owner of, and a dance instructor at, the Creative Dance Center in East Hampton Connecticut. One of her students, Emma Rushin, is the niece of Blister Buddy Joan Pena.
Emma enjoys dance and especially her teacher Cindy. What Emma knows is that Cindy has a love of dance and of teaching. It shows in every lesson. What Emma doesn't know and won't appreciate until she is older, is that Cindy has MS...and that's the way it should be. How Emma sees Cindy is how everyone should. She is hard working, creative and as our team slogan states "STRONG, not weak".
So here's to you Cindy and all the great students that will pass through your dance studio!
