Friday, March 5, 2010

Birkie Skiers for Cures and the National MS Society in Wisconsin

As most of you know, I write for HealthCentral.com. In fact, I write for three of their disease-specific websites: MultipleSclerosisCentral, MyRACentral, and MyObesityConnection. In the process, I work with three individual great producers.

Last weekend one of my producers was in Wisconsin participating in the legendary cross country skiing race called the American Birkebeiner. "It’s this crazy long, crazy hard race through the north woods of Wisconsin on nothing but two pieces of fiber glasss," says Sara.

After she returned from the race, she tells me that a good friend of hers was diagnosed with MS a few years ago. Since then she has skied in her friend's honor through Birkie Skiers for Cures and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"This year, I was skiing for you, too! Here’s a pic of me at the end…all smiles!"


Can I just say - WOW!! Nobody has skiied, walked, or biked for me before. Well, except those piano student families who walked WITH me that first year at the MS Walk in 2006. I guess that counts. ;o)

I'm a bit surprised at how touched I was by Sara telling me this. So touched that I didn't know how to respond at first and I just now answered her email.

Last week I visited the HealthCentral main office here in Arlington, VA to give my MS producer some short videos I had taped. They will be posted throughout the month of March and the 1st one made it up on the site yesterday. Here's the 2nd video and post regarding "getting diagnosed with MS." Next week, several of us are telling our diagnosis stories.

While I was at the office, I got to meet face-to-face each of the lovely persons I currently work with and have previously worked for. It's nice to put a face to the person on the other side of the keyboard and computer screen.

This just reinforces that there are real people behind the blogs and screennames. Real people who do great things. I hope that I will always one of those approachable folks who are "real" in discussing their lives and their diseases. Seriously, how can you be anything but honest when talking about MS or RA or even obesity.

It might take me awhile to answer emails (read above) but I do try to respond. Remember, though, that I do have two diseases which can make the brain a bit foggy. If I don't respond, please feel free to email again.

So here's to MS Education & Awareness Month in the United States. I am now aware of the Birkie Skiers for Cures which sounds like a great organization and bunch of folks who have fun while raising money for good causes. This year the National MS Society got hooked up. Go NMSS!!

7 comments:

  1. wow skiing! err augh umm I can not see the photo of you skiing?
    I know you fix it right up for us so we can see!

    Like the Youtube video idea too.

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  2. Ski the Birkie for MS - awesome! The NMSS Wisconsin Chapter is finally starting to spread the word around the state!

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  3. Hmmmm, I can see the photo. It's a jpg if that matters.

    Of course, there is no photo of ME skiing because I CAN'T!! Tried once and getting off the ski lift did me in.

    Glad you like the video idea. Now that my producer has the videos up on our very own special HealthCentralMS account, I will delete the ones I put up.

    I've not really had to use YouTube for videos since blogger has a way to upload them directly into the posts (at least your own).

    Keep your videos coming, they're lots of fun!

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  4. Tim and Janet,

    Yah! I had never heard of it and the Wisconsin chapter seems to have alot going on. What better way than to take advantage of the sports and activities in the state.

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  5. That must be an amazing feeling to hear her say that she was skiing for you. I started my first MS walk team this year and have been overwhelmed by the generosity of those in my life. It makes me feel so blessed and not forgotten while my life changes as I deal with MS.
    Take care!

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  6. well I guess my browser has something against your photo LOL

    Maybe I will try explorer and see.

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  7. Jan,
    I uploaded the photo in a different manner. This should work for you if you are usually able to see images here. Please, let me know.
    Lisa

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