You Know I'm All About That Race

Im so late in writing this it's not even cute but it's done.  Star for that.  (:

THANK YOU to all who supported and donated to Team Sparkle's Bike MS 2014 City to Shore!!!

We raised $4,475 which is incredible being that it's $1,475 over our goal.  Thank you!!  

The money raised goes directly to the MS society for tangible items such as ice packs, air conditioners, etc - things needed for the MS community AND to research and development, things needed especially in my life.  (:

So a little about the race...as like the past two years, we traveled to Ocean City a week early to savor every last inch we could out of the summer.  And it did not disappoint. 

But first, we stopped in State College to visit the college kid.  

It was an important ride this year.  The past two years I had done 2 miles (2012) and 25 miles (2013) but both on a recumbent trike (which is babe, highly suggest for those that like to ride and need the extra support).

So this year, I decided to double it, and bike 50 miles.  And not only that, but on a regular bike, not the recumbent.   

And I proudly proclaimed it by wearing the "I Ride with MS" jersey.  

Awkward real story: every time I saw someone with a jersey (which was like 4 times) I would go straight up to them, congratulate them, and if they were opened, provide a hug.  I really scared the pants off my first victim who was not expecting such a sparkling personality to approach.  Thats when I adapted the "if they were opened to it" hug policy.   

The rest of the team (daddy and the twins) road the usual 75 plus miles each day (the ms 150).  Super hero's only need to apply.  

I met them at the 25 mile mark and off we went.  It was a very hot day (whoops) and each rest stop consisted of me riding straight to the medics for all their ice packs.  To which I would then place all over me to lower the body temperature.  Uhthoff's is a b. 

The MS Chapter does a fabulous job of making sure the roads are clear of dead animals and trash and glass, making for a smooth sailing the whole 50 miles.  This was a large turn-out year as well, with close to 7000 plus riders (yes, having balance issues and riding with that many people on the road is intimidating!).

But I did it!!!  Even had some dance parties to celebrate. 

And at the end was the rest of the team: the sparkly part.  

My good friend Bethany flew in from San Diego to help sparkle the support. 

Zach and Regina (Bike MS Veterans) came in for the weekend and just made the whole experience.  I'll sum it up with there was a lot of sparkle, a lot of pink, a lot of balloons, and a lot of love. 

The Dad and the Twins woke up Sunday to bike the last remaining 75 miles (nbd).  Im so thankful for their riding and their support.  It means the world to me.  

So thank you again to all who donated to the cause.  For all the texts, calls, love throughout the weekend.  To the Bike MS City to Shore Team whom I love very much - you guys are the best; thank you always for being team sparkle.  All those that support Team Sparkle year round (you know who you are).  And my family and friends.  The Lord.  Starbucks.  Ocean City. 

Your actions show love, which is true beauty.  Thank you all.  

Love, Eliz

PS:  But that's not all!! 

The Parents celebrated 31 years together!!!

I got to spend some time with old OCNJ friends.

And of course we can't forget about the best breakfast ever with some family that came to visit.  Truly, so much love. 

From Wheelchair to Walking in Under Two Years

How did I go from wheelchair to walking in under two years?

Well...

I just did it. 

Ok maybe it really wasnt that easy.  (:

It really took a few months in the hospital, 100's of falls (still falling), a lot of courage, discipline, hope, strength, and honestly, me losing feeling in my right arm to just be like, "ok Im just going to teach my body to learn to walk again".

And that's what I did.

I retaught my body how to walk. 

It wasnt a diet.  It wasnt a drug.  It wasnt a therapy.  

It was me, on a beach, taking a deep breath, and telling myself to put one foot in front of the other.  

And they've just kept on walking.

This was me two years ago, almost to the day.  

This is me today, walking around like no big deal.

and can we check out my shoes? um yes, they're like 3in.  love.

In two weeks, I'm biking 50-75 miles in Bike MS City to Shore 

(more info: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?team_id=395569&fr_id=22817&pg=team).  

That's even more of a big deal.  Especially because on top of relearning how to walk, I also had cervical spine surgery this year.  (It's been a great 10 months).

I saw the other day a picture that said:

"MS is not a death sentence, it's a life sentence."

Actually, for me, MS kind of is a death sentence.  I will die with MS...it will lead to my death (unless there is a cure first...another plug to donate.  The money donated to Bike MS goes to a cure. :D).

I will not let MS be my life sentence though.  I will live my life, wickedly awesome, with ms in tow.  I will not be ashamed of my MS. I will not let it control my life.  I will adapt, leaving sparkle footprints wherever life may lead us - that is, ms and me. 

If you in any way feel as if you cannot accomplish something because of a disability or because someone said you cannot, or for any other reason, stop. 

First, you dont need that negativity in your life.  

Second, your disability/life will limit you, yes.  It will slow you down.  It will make you cry, hurt you, throw you back, make you question.  

But instead of the word cannot, adapt.  No matter what happens in life, you can adapt to meet those goals, or adapt those goals to meet your life.  

We are limited and yet when we become adaptable, life really becomes limitless.  

So there you have it.  There is no secret.  I just adapted my life with MS and relearned how to walk.  I am no different of a person now than I was when I was in that wheelchair.  And I am most likely guaranteed another round of days in that wheelchair in the future.  

And when those days come, I will, as before, learn to adapt. (:

And das it.

Love, Eliz 

PS: THANK YOU to all who have donated to Team Sparkle for Bike MS City to Shore, happening September 27-28.  Again, to learn more about our team or to donate, see the link below.  Every dollar goes towards finding a cure and helping me continue my life of adaptions.  I may look good but the MS is winning me over on the inside.  Help continue the sparkle cause and I promise to continue the sparkle love. <3

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?team_id=395569&fr_id=22817&pg=team

Team Sparkle 2013

 

In the wise words of Elle Woods,

WE DID IT!

It was a great time being back in Ocean City and leading up to the big weekend.  

Sunday we spent the afternoon on the boardwalk for a corvette festival. 

 

The parents celebrated their 30 year anniversary (I know 30 years!! Go them!!!)

We spent the days training and prepping our butts.  Afternoons we spent in the sun experiencing the gorgeous weather.  We even got some sun!

Saturday arrived and the boys and daddy started out very early for their first day of 75 miles (ok it was really around 80 thanks to a road closed) and I met them for the last 25.

Yep, I was able to do the goal of 25 miles!!!  I took my MS and we went for quite the ride.  Riding a recumbent tricycle is quite the experience (you work twice as hard) and by the end I couldnt feel my feet.  And while two years ago 25 miles was just a Saturday ride, I crossed that finish line with a huge smile of accomplishment.

We rode to the end in a group, the boys riding as my "protectors".  So cute.

Two of my best friends came to support my ride.  

My little me Kimberly.

   My bestie Regina.

And yes we have matching pj's.  It's what the cool kids do.

Overall, a fabulous adventure and it could not have been achieved without the wonderful people who contributed to Team Sparkle.  THANK YOU!!!

Thank you also to the whole team who put together Bike MS: City to Shore!  It was a pleasure to work with the team on promoting the ride and am so thankful to all the volunteers who gave of their time to support.  

All of it provides such hope!

Next year we will possibly looking to grow our team so if you're a fan of the shore, cycling, starbucks and matching pjs (ok that part is voluntary)...you just might want to join Team Sparkle. 

Love (and again THANK YOU!),

PS: My bike had an extra addition this year...my very own Starbucks cup holder.  #hellyeah

Team Sparkle Bike MS: City to Shore 2013

Yes its that time of year again...Team Sparkle Bike MS: City to Shore 2.0!!

While the participants of Team Sparkle start prepping their butts for the long bike ride, we are again looking to grow our team to VIP status with the help of YOU, the lovely donor sparkle supporters. 

Last year Team Sparkle raised over $12,000 through a lot of wonderful donors.  This provided Team Sparkle with the encouragement and hope needed to bike the 185 miles from Philadephia to Ocean City, NJ and back.  

The whole overall experience was, in a way, breathtaking.  For me personally, each $1 donated meant someone believed in my fight, in my hope.  It also was amazing to witness not only my loved ones but 1000s of strangers sacrificing a weekend to bike for my cause.  

For pictures from last year's ride, visit: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.645920224980.2074072.144900133&type=1&l=68be5f339c

The money donated did more than give me hope; it went straight towards improving my quality of life.  A portion of the money raised through Bike MS rides throughout the country goes towards research and development, specifically to find medicines that help manage MS. 

Over the past year I have tried 2 MS management drugs, not responding to either category.  This was extremely discouraging for the next option was the Chemotherapy levels (obviously something to be avoided for as long as possible).  

But, with the help of the money from the MS Society - Bike MS, a new drug was approved called Tecfidera on March 21st (my 1 year MS anniversary...convenient).  This drug is oral (meaning no needle injections three times a week or monthly infusions!!) as well as very promising.  Im in my first month currently and hopefully in the next few months will know the affect it is having on managing my MS.

For those that donated last year, thank you!!  It may have only been $30 but that generous amount helped provide me with medical stability and hope, as well as kept me out of the chemo world.  

This year's ride is starting out even more special as Bike MS: City to Shore has asked me to be involved on a few different levels with regards to promotions.  

I was humbled to be a part of their postcard campaign (see below) as well as they asked me to provide a few words at their opening meeting, all around the theme of "Why we ride".  I've had the opportunity to get to know some of the members of their team and am honored to be volunteering along side them.  They are just fabulous!!

This year Team Sparkle's Goal is $5000 and our team members are Brian (my daddy), Connor (brother), Kevin and John (twin brothers), Tonya (my mom aka Captain Team Sparkle) and myself (yay!!!).  

There are three ways in which you can be a part of Team Sparkle:

1. Donate to Team Sparkle (visit here for more information: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/PAEBikeEvents?team_id=349549&pg=team&fr_id=20331)

2. Promote Team Sparkle (create awareness by sharing Team Sparkle's information and donate page)

3. Join Team Sparkle in riding the race yourself!!  There are a few different routes to choose from and we would love to have additions to our team!! (visit the donate page for more information: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/PAEBikeEvents?team_id=349549&pg=team&fr_id=20331)

Anyway you choose to be a part of Team Sparkle is greatly appreciated!!  I look forward to seeing the rewards from this campaign and sharing the updates with you!

Love and thankful,