On Saturday two Ocracoke Girl Scout troops traveled to Greenville, NC to participate in Walk MS, sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. At least three Ocracoke residents, including one 18 year old girl, have been diagnosed with MS. The walk helped raise funds for research leading to better medicines, and, we hope, someday a cure.
To date the Ocracoke Girl Scouts have raised more than $3,000.00. Donations in the name of island girl scouts are being accepted until June 1. To donate click on the link below, then click on an individual girl's name...then click on the "donate" button:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=16163&team_id=247243.
You can also donate by clicking on the following link:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/nct/donate/index.aspx.
Many thanks to our local girl scout troops for their superb fundraising efforts!
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a history of the Ocracoke Preservation Society. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news42111.htm.
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Philip, what a wonderful surprise to read your blog this morning & to learn about the two Ocracoke Girl Scout troops who took it upon themselves to go to Greenville this past weekend & participate in the MS Walk! Please extend my deepest, heartfelt appreciation for their selfless efforts!
ReplyDeleteMy late husband, Scott, was diagnosed with a progressive form of MS (there are up to six types) in 1985....only three years after we were married.
Despite the progression of Scott's MS, we would travel to Ocracoke (via SQ ferry after first visiting Scott's family in Belhaven) in the spring or fall because of cooler temperatures; and, you can imagine that in the mid-80's early 1990's, handicapped ramps were not that common on the island!
However, I recall the thrilling time we were visiting the island and as Scott's scooter made the way down Howard Street (sometimes w/ me pushing him through the sandy lane) we discovered the sturdy wooden ramp you had built @ The Village Craftsmen! Scott was so happy that he could "drive" up the ramp and enter your shop. You and your staff warmly greeted us and immediately made us feel welcomed!
We made our last journey to the island together in Oct of '97. By then, the scooter had been replaced with a motorized wheelchair & without family assitance, as well as folks on the island helping me with Scott, I could have never managed. He was now a parapalegic.
Eventually, Scott became a "quad" & was hospitalized many times through the years. In '99, he was @ Duke for more than 30 days alone.
Scott's brain lesions advanced and he could only blink his eyes when he passed away at home on April 23, 2009...some 24 years after his diagnosis.
In Oct of '09, I made the journey to OI alone and scattered Scott's ashes. I knew he would have wanted it this way. He was "home".
MS is a complicated disease and often misunderstood. Mobility challenges are really such a small part of the disease. It affects organs, cognative abilities, swallowing, vision and so much more. There is always the risk of infections & skin problems.
The encouraging news, however, is in 2011, there has been incredible medical advances to fight the progression of MS. I personally know dozens of people who are "living with MS" and some are living nearly "normal" lives. The milder forms of MS have made the most advances.
I want to tell the 18 year old on Ocracoke who has been diagnosed to fight hard, watch your diet, do modified exercise whenever possible, listen to your body, watch out for heat, and above all, live your dreams to the fullest!
As I am writing this blog, I just realize today is May 3rd. I can't believe it has been exactly two years ago TODAY that Scott's memorial service was held.
Thank you, Philip, for sharing your news about the MS Walk on this day, of ALL days!
From your faithful Person county, NC mainlander blogger.
CEO of MS earned in compensation $469,879 ( 2008) $71,013,905 contributions from chapters in 2008. total income for 2008 $106,253,354.
ReplyDeleteI am still encouraged by the research which is being spent in the area of MS. Also, Montel Williams is dedicating a lot of his energy towards the goal of finding a cure for MS. (Most people know he has a mild form of the disease.) Some people may rather donate through the Montel Williams organization, but one way or another, research is being done and I have faith that a cure will be discovered!
ReplyDeleteI applaud the Ocracoke Island Girl Scout troops and their leaders for a job well done!
My late husband would be so proud of their efforts!
Somebody once said...the only important thing to make in this world is a DIFFERENCE.
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDelete