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.
Lori
Cynthia Santos is taking on the challenge of walking 50 miles again this year. Whenever she gets tired, all she'll need to do is think about her niece Lori, who inspiries her every step of the way.
Cynthia has witnessed first hand the hurt that MS causes as she has watched Lori struggle with its' devasting effects and uncertainty over the past 18 years. Lori's diagnosis came at the very young age of 18. Her Aunt Cynthia speaks proudly of her, describing Lori as an amazing, courageous and beautiful young woman who struggles to get through the hardest times with grace and diginity...and a smile...always a smile and a hug...always a hug.
Not letting MS stop her, Lori became an RN at a young age, working with handicapped children. She moved into the administrative area of nursing when physical challenges prevented her from direct patient care.
When Cynthia speaks of Lori it inspires the rest of the Blister Buddies to keep putting one foot in front of the other no matter how tired we become. We're not surprised to hear Lori described by her Aunt Cynthia as "the most amazing young woman I know". We think Cynthia is pretty amazing as well. It must run in the family!
William Rowland
Diane Pierro, a client and friend of Blister Buddies team member Joan Pena, shared her Dad's story with us before our first Challenge Walk. Her love and admiration for her father mirrors that of the families we've since met on our journey. Mr. Rowland passed away shorty after the MS Walk in 2009. The Blister Buddies walk in his memory and celebrate his long life, always pushing MS to the background.
"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."
Cindy Sorvillo Baloga
For the sixth year, the Blister Buddies proudly walk in support of Cindy Sorvillo Balgoa. Cindy is the owner of, and dance instructor at, the Creative Dance Center in East Hampton Connecticut. One of her former students, Emma Rushin, is the niece of Blister Buddy Joan Pena.
Emma loved dance and especially because of Cindy. What Emma knew was that Cindy has a love of dance and of teaching. It showed in every lesson. What Emma didn'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!
