Finished two stories this week for some long-time chapter Champions. Tricia and Frank. Enjoy! Please feel free to give me your comments too.
I am SO close to my fundraising goal for the 3-day 50-mile Challenge Walk that I can't even believe it! Rumor has it that we'll be able to fundraise on facebook for the Challenge Walk beginning next week - can't wait! What an exciting thing - I hope it helps everyone hit their goals quick so we all can breathe a little easier. I "started" my training last night with 5+ miles... but I did hike 26 miles last week WITH A PACK ON and am back in to running three days a week. That counts as far as I'm concerned. Next Tuesday night I'm going to train on Torrey Pines Hill - it's a big one.
~Beth
July 31, 2009
July 28, 2009
a message from your bike and CBS
Check out this great video message from your bike and then register for our bike tour!
I swear I saw a public service announcement done by Phil Keoghan of the Amazing Race on CBS recently. Just a 30-second commercial where he talks about MS and asks viewers to join the movement toward a cure by cycling in Bike MS. I can't find the video online though - has anyone seen it? Send me the link if you have it, please.
~Beth
I swear I saw a public service announcement done by Phil Keoghan of the Amazing Race on CBS recently. Just a 30-second commercial where he talks about MS and asks viewers to join the movement toward a cure by cycling in Bike MS. I can't find the video online though - has anyone seen it? Send me the link if you have it, please.
~Beth
July 15, 2009
the more the merrier
I told a few people at the chapter about this blog today, and I think I may have found myself some guest writers! Good stuff - greater perspective and insight is good stuff.
On another note, Cindy Shaffer (board member with the All America Chapter, patient advocate, volunteer, GRC chair, member of NPAC and the Pediatric Advisory Committee) has developed a license plate frame depicting our message and logo. The item is featured online and sells for $10, with $5 going back to the Society.
I'll be out of pocket until the last week of July - sorry in advance for the lack of posts.
~Beth
On another note, Cindy Shaffer (board member with the All America Chapter, patient advocate, volunteer, GRC chair, member of NPAC and the Pediatric Advisory Committee) has developed a license plate frame depicting our message and logo. The item is featured online and sells for $10, with $5 going back to the Society.
I'll be out of pocket until the last week of July - sorry in advance for the lack of posts.
~Beth
July 13, 2009
excerpt from winning scholarship essay
I recently read the essays of our four Bob Webster scholarship winners (funded by VIMS - thank you VIMS!) and this one really touched me.
"...I remembered a time in my life when I was embarrassed of my mother. Being young and seeing other children walking with their mothers made me envious. Any time my mother and I wanted to go somewhere, I had to wheel her around in a wheel chair. Going to public restaurants was like being a part of a museum exhibit. People constantly stared as I hand fed my mother lunch. Entering public restrooms was like asking for lights camera action. The fact that I had to in the same stall as my mother brought curiosity upon others. They didn't know that I was going in the stall to help her, all they saw was one twelve-year-old and grown woman going into the same stall."
These memories are not far from mine. After I overcame the embarrassment I coped with the situation through pride. I was proud that I could fit Mom's wheelchair in the trunk of my car all by myself (which in my VW Beetle was in the front - strange to watch). I was proud that I could drive Mom where she needed to go. I was proud that I could help her in the restroom so she wouldn't have to expose such an embarrassing disability to a stranger. I learned a lot from Mom, in this instance what stands out is humility.
After Mom went into the nursing home, I no longer assisted her in the restroom. I no longer drove her to doctor's appointments or therapy. Someone else became 'better' with her. To lose my primary coping mechanism: pride... I believe I got through it because I knew then (and know now) that the people caring for Mom now are much better at it than I was, am or can ever be.
The essayist continued, "...as easy as it may sound to be a child, for some it is not. MS had once broken my confidence and made me feel alone, but at the same time it gave me one of the greatest role models in the world. I thank god for my mother and the person she has made me. A strong, motivated young woman who just happens to be a child or a mother who suffers from MS."
I agree. Mom, as she is, made me who I am. I think I'm a pretty good person - because of Mom. Her inability to accomplish certain things made me even more determined to reach for the stars. Throughout my childhood, I did things for both of us. I often feel like I'm still living that way. I hope so.
~Beth
"...I remembered a time in my life when I was embarrassed of my mother. Being young and seeing other children walking with their mothers made me envious. Any time my mother and I wanted to go somewhere, I had to wheel her around in a wheel chair. Going to public restaurants was like being a part of a museum exhibit. People constantly stared as I hand fed my mother lunch. Entering public restrooms was like asking for lights camera action. The fact that I had to in the same stall as my mother brought curiosity upon others. They didn't know that I was going in the stall to help her, all they saw was one twelve-year-old and grown woman going into the same stall."
These memories are not far from mine. After I overcame the embarrassment I coped with the situation through pride. I was proud that I could fit Mom's wheelchair in the trunk of my car all by myself (which in my VW Beetle was in the front - strange to watch). I was proud that I could drive Mom where she needed to go. I was proud that I could help her in the restroom so she wouldn't have to expose such an embarrassing disability to a stranger. I learned a lot from Mom, in this instance what stands out is humility.
After Mom went into the nursing home, I no longer assisted her in the restroom. I no longer drove her to doctor's appointments or therapy. Someone else became 'better' with her. To lose my primary coping mechanism: pride... I believe I got through it because I knew then (and know now) that the people caring for Mom now are much better at it than I was, am or can ever be.
The essayist continued, "...as easy as it may sound to be a child, for some it is not. MS had once broken my confidence and made me feel alone, but at the same time it gave me one of the greatest role models in the world. I thank god for my mother and the person she has made me. A strong, motivated young woman who just happens to be a child or a mother who suffers from MS."
I agree. Mom, as she is, made me who I am. I think I'm a pretty good person - because of Mom. Her inability to accomplish certain things made me even more determined to reach for the stars. Throughout my childhood, I did things for both of us. I often feel like I'm still living that way. I hope so.
~Beth
July 09, 2009
the grass is always greener
I have a summer cold and I know I shouldn't complain... but I grew up in the Midwest where I only remember having colds in the winter. When you blew your nose so often that you couldn't even touch it after two days because it was so raw. Anyway, having a cold when it's beach weather outside just doesn't seem right. I know it's beach weather most of the months of the year here... it seemed easier to deal with when you could put on a wool sweater and sit on the couch in front of the tv. I guess the grass is always greener...
A few people are talking about the chapter lately, first off Westfield where we have the overnight of our Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour http://westfield.com/plazacaminoreal/news/BikeMS.html and secondly Easy Turf just launched a referral program benefitting us http://www.easyturf.com/referrals (the real source of today's title).
~Beth
A few people are talking about the chapter lately, first off Westfield where we have the overnight of our Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour http://westfield.com/plazacaminoreal/news/BikeMS.html and secondly Easy Turf just launched a referral program benefitting us http://www.easyturf.com/referrals (the real source of today's title).
~Beth
July 07, 2009
generosity of volunteers
Our long-time office volunteer, Bev, asked me a week ago if she had heard me on the radio. Yes, I said, you probably did, since I recorded a commercial for the Challenge Walk a few months ago in which I mention my name and tell my mom's story. Bev asked if she could donate to me.
So finally today I gave her my fundraising letter and she, Elsie and Karen wrote checks to my campaign - wow! Totally unexpected. I can't believe the generosity of people, and the depth of their hearts.
~Beth
So finally today I gave her my fundraising letter and she, Elsie and Karen wrote checks to my campaign - wow! Totally unexpected. I can't believe the generosity of people, and the depth of their hearts.
~Beth
July 06, 2009
the beginning determines the end
So this beginning better be strong!
I am the director of marketing & communications at the Pacific South Coast Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Beyond my commitment to our branding, marketing, public relations and other communications efforts, I am dedicated to our cause. My mom has lived with MS since the late 80's, and I want nothing more than to be at the forefront of the movement to create a world free of MS.
Step 1: care. Step 2: show it.
I think a lot, and I think maybe I can translate that thinking to blogging. Let's give it a shot!
Here's where I started http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/beth
~Beth
I am the director of marketing & communications at the Pacific South Coast Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Beyond my commitment to our branding, marketing, public relations and other communications efforts, I am dedicated to our cause. My mom has lived with MS since the late 80's, and I want nothing more than to be at the forefront of the movement to create a world free of MS.
Step 1: care. Step 2: show it.
I think a lot, and I think maybe I can translate that thinking to blogging. Let's give it a shot!
Here's where I started http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/beth
~Beth
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