Your Journey for life.......

[Guest guest]

Steve,

Greetings from a fellow Valley Center resident! I cannot tell you

how envious I am of your endeavor. You see; 10 years ago my wife was

diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and it has totally changed my

outlook on my life as well. I am 12 years older than my wife and at

the age of 50 I WAS totally out of shape (weighed 313lbs), and unable

to catch my breath after doing something as menial as bending over to

tie my shoes. I knew that if I didn't do something I would not be

around to take care of my wife who is now full time in a wheel chair

and unable to take care of herself. Like you I was athletic in my

younger days, but age has a way of creeping up on you and your

waistline. I had good intentions of being healthy but always found

an excuse. Then I was challenged by the local MS Society to

participate in the 1st annual 50-mile MS Challenge walk to support

those with MS. I had never walked 50 miles in my life, let alone

maybe 1 or 2 miles at a time. I really wasn't sure I could do it but

I was certainly going to give it a try. I started eating healthier

and working out and walking, and walking, and walking, and

walking..... I actually grew to enjoy it and lost 68lbs in the

process. Who knew? Anyway, I made it! And I have made it again for

the last 2 years. 6 months of training for 50 miles and then 6

months of maintenance and recovery.

I can relate to your daily trials, aches and pains.....but the

accomplishment of predetermined goals makes it all worth while! I

congratulate you on your determination to reach your goal, and know

that with God's help you WILL achieve it.

My envy comes from the fact that I wish I could join you for the

journey. What a story and what a thrill to complete. For 2 years I

have been trying to coordinate the time off from work and getting

someone to take care of my wife while I walked the length of

California's coastline from Oregon to Mexico. Seeing your dedication

at whatever the cost has inspired me to look at my goal differntly

and hopefully get it done in the next year.

I will follow your journey with much anticipation, and when you

return I would love to sit and talk with you about it.

Take care of your feet and legs. They are your most precious

commodity! You are a winner and the rewards will be great!!

I look forward to reading your logs as you progress to success!

[Guest guest]

What a kind and thoughful message! My heart goes out to you and your wife. Steve lost three cousins to MS in their youth. I wanted to find a way to add MS to the reason Steve is walking across the US, but I don't know how to do that yet. I thought if someone wanted to sponsor Steve's mileage and donate toward MS, it could really help out the research of this illness. I just haven't had time yet to look into how that would work.

I also am envious of Steve's journey. I wish I could take this trip with my husband, as I am sure it will change him forever in many ways. I have my own baggage I would like to make adjustments to. But I think that is the kind of message his story sends. "I can do it." Whatever "it" is, right? The person that I want to be, the changes I want to make, the things I want to do. . . It will take sacrifices, but I can do it.

So, I just have to find my map, find my country, and my walking shoes. I can go anywhere and do anything if I have the determination and resolve. Now that I have said it and recognize the possibility of an accomoplishment, well now I have to do it, don't I. If Steve can do it, so can I. Isn't that the message? So, this trip you want to take. Take it. I know you can find away, and so do you. There are some amazingly kind and caring individuals in the world, I have recently come to know. There is one out there waiting for you. Out there waiting for an opportunity to improve themselves by doing a selfless act that benefits someone else. A nurse maybe that has a special connection with MS herself.

I must sound delirious at this point. I think I just convinced myself that I can do it too. Even as my goal was to send appreciation to you for your message and offer some motivational thoughts of my own. I hope you make it. And please, tell us all about it before you go and when you return. I am sure Steve would love to hear about your adventures as well.

Take Care,

April

>

>Reply-To: thefatmanwalking_group

>To: thefatmanwalking_group

>Subject: Your Journey for life.......

>Date: Tue, 03 May 2005 04:47:36 -0000

>

>Steve,

>Greetings from a fellow Valley Center resident! I cannot tell you

>how envious I am of your endeavor. You see; 10 years ago my wife was

>diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and it has totally changed my

>outlook on my life as well. I am 12 years older than my wife and at

>the age of 50 I WAS totally out of shape (weighed 313lbs), and unable

>to catch my breath after doing something as menial as bending over to

>tie my shoes. I knew that if I didn't do something I would not be

>around to take care of my wife who is now full time in a wheel chair

>and unable to take care of herself. Like you I was athletic in my

>younger days, but age has a way of creeping up on you and your

>waistline. I had good intentions of being healthy but always found

>an excuse. Then I was challenged by the local MS Society to

>participate in the 1st annual 50-mile MS Challenge walk to support

>those with MS. I had never walked 50 miles in my life, let alone

>maybe 1 or 2 miles at a time. I really wasn't sure I could do it but

>I was certainly going to give it a try. I started eating healthier

>and working out and walking, and walking, and walking, and

>walking..... I actually grew to enjoy it and lost 68lbs in the

>process. Who knew? Anyway, I made it! And I have made it again for

>the last 2 years. 6 months of training for 50 miles and then 6

>months of maintenance and recovery.

>I can relate to your daily trials, aches and pains.....but the

>accomplishment of predetermined goals makes it all worth while! I

>congratulate you on your determination to reach your goal, and know

>that with God's help you WILL achieve it.

>My envy comes from the fact that I wish I could join you for the

>journey. What a story and what a thrill to complete. For 2 years I

>have been trying to coordinate the time off from work and getting

>someone to take care of my wife while I walked the length of

>California's coastline from Oregon to Mexico. Seeing your dedication

>at whatever the cost has inspired me to look at my goal differntly

>and hopefully get it done in the next year.

>I will follow your journey with much anticipation, and when you

>return I would love to sit and talk with you about it.

>Take care of your feet and legs. They are your most precious

>commodity! You are a winner and the rewards will be great!!

>I look forward to reading your logs as you progress to success!

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