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Learning curve

July 28, 2010 Michael AugustineLisez en Francais

Life is a learning curve, and there are some pretty sharp turns along the way to where you want to go. 

I’ve not posted an update for some time. Primarily it’s because my MS is getting worse. As I have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, that means that whatever I lose, I lose for good. Secondly, my personal life has suffered some serious setbacks and I now find myself at the beginning of a new phase in my life, and I’ve a long way to travel before I “learn” to navigate its “curves.”

The timing is ironic. As the 2010 RONA MS Bike Tour season continues, and with the 2011 MS WALK a few months from beginning its initial planning stages, I am reminded of the parallels between these events and the journey everyone must make while living with multiple sclerosis. 

Like everything else, it is about planning for the future, while understanding that the road ahead is never fully predictable. It’s about taking things one step - one kilometer - at a time, and keeping your eye on your destination and not on the road beneath you. It is about sometimes getting tired, sometimes getting lost, and sometimes even falling, but never losing site of the fact that those times are only just a small part of the whole journey. 

I had planned to climb to Mount Everest Base Camp this October to raise much needed funds to help those like me who live with this disease. I eventually came to realize that I needed to focus on making myself better before I could do the same for others. Therefore my trip has been postponed until next October. 

Am I daunted? Oh, yes. Am I scared? Most certainly! But as I said, this is just another step on the path towards becoming the person I want to be - whom I’m truly meant to be... I just need to keep my focus and let my feet take care of themselves. 

I still have many months to go before I can reach my goal, and many steps to make before I’ll get there. But if I take it a step at a time, there’s no telling how far I’ll go, or what I will accomplish when I reach my destination. Even by myself I can still achieve truly amazing things, but together, you and I can accomplish miracles. 

Together - we can finally end MS! 


Technorati tags: endMS, multiple sclerosis, learning curve

Posted in RONA MS Bike Tour, MS Walk | Permalink | Have your say: 2 Comments

Comments

From  Trisha Dierickse  on  August 25, 2010
Mike I've been apart ot the MS Grand Bend to London Bike ride for the last 3 years, it started out as a way to get in shape while supporting a great cause but while training this year I developed problems. Long story short I had a MRI several spot s were found had a spinal tap. I am now waiting for the result. I had thoughts of not attending the MS bikeride this year I wasn't sure I could make it but I went and when I saw you when I finished the first day I almost broke down and cried. Thanks for all you do, I know you are going through a very rough time but never forget how much you mean to all of us who ride. I'm sorry to hear that your climb has been delayed but I can't even put into word how much you being at the finish line ment to me. Trisha
From  Aug  on  December 09, 2010
Dearest Trisha, We are already well on our way to the 2011 RONA MS Bike Tours, and I wish to personally thank you for your comments. As you may have heard, I was impacted by a rider on the 2nd day of the 2010 Grand Bend to London tour. While I recovered fairly quickly, the rider was left with a badly skinned leg, and I confess I was left shaken by the experience. I spent considerable time last summer discussing with my superiors whether it was worth my continuing to do what I do - I think I now have my answer. Your story, like those of so many other, like-minded individuals, serves to remind me that there is a reason I started doing this in the first place. It is vital to me that you be shown appreciation from the people for whom you do what you do. If I am to be that person - either by choice or by fate - then I feel truly honoured and blessed to have been picked to be the man who gets to say "Thank You" with a high-5 for every rider that crosses that finish line! I understand what you get out of it, but you cannot even begin to imagine the reward I get. It's nothing short of absolute joy! Thank you, once again for reminding me!!

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