Why We Walk....

MS Walk 2009 has come and gone and we once again had a great time, despite the chilly spring day. Our team raised over $5,000 making us the number 7 team in the Salt Lake City Walk (out of over 100 teams who registered!) and the donations are still coming in. I think that's truly amazing considering the state of the economy and I really appreciate every one of you that donated. The Lucky 13's were even asked to help start off the walk and our team captain Jess was asked to cut the ribbon because of the successful year we had in 2008. It was truly an honor to be at the start line and see all our hard work from last year realized.

Laura and Jess at the starting line
Although it was fun to walk with our team and spend the morning just catching up with our friends and family, the true inspiration came about four hours after the walk began when a young man named Bobby Welker and his army of family and friends finished the 3 mile walk. Now, I don't personally know Bobby and only learned of him that day but his story and his courage truly inspired me and I had to share his struggles and his triumphs because they truly touched my core. I have tears running down my face right now as I write this; it's that moving.

The following is told by The Lucky 13's team captain Jess. She is far more eloquent that I.

"For everyone that participated in Walk MS 2009, our jaunt began around 10:20 when the walk was officially kicked off. The interim included laughing, chatting, and for one of our team members a brief assault by a tree. Overall a great time was had and most of us concluded our three mile walk sometime between noon and 12:30pm. Hungry stomachs insisted lunch, so about 15-20 of us headed over to The Skybox at The Gateway following the walk. All the while we're eating, a young man by the name of Bobby Welker - still on the walk route, fought with everything he had as he attempted to walk every last step of the three mile mountain that he had set out to finish for the second year in a row. Last year, Bobby had been told that it would be physically impossible for him to participate in and finish the walk in 2008. Last year he finished in just over three hours, having proven exactly what he set out to. That you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Bobby, who looks to be in his late 20's was diagnosed with Progressive MS in January 2007. By name this form of the disease is one that strikes with a loss of function and unlike Relapsing-Remitting forms of MS where the patient has an attack and then a period of recovery, this form of the disease is one that steadily progresses with no periods of recovery or regain of function that has been lost. A psychologist for the MS Society has said that those with the progressive form of the disease often feel "left out" because advances in research are not as common as in relapsing-remitting forms, and there are not as many treatment options for those with progressive MS as often it doesn't respond to the therapies that are available and proven effective for relapsing-remitting MS.

As we're enjoying the last of our lunch, having finished the walk about an hour and fifteen minutes earlier, we receive word that Bobby, still walking but struggling has rounded the corner onto North Temple and is expected back at the Grand Hall in the next 20-30 minutes. He has a small group of family and friends with him, and there is a small group of MS Society staff members still at The Grand Hall that will be there to cheer him on as he finishes. We decide collectively that we would like to join them in cheering this young man in his victory, so we polish off the last of our food, pay our bills and run from one side of The Gateway to the other in hopes that we haven't missed him crossing the finish line.

When we got outside the Grand Hall, we all stood there on the sidewalk in anticipation, not really knowing what to expect when we finally saw Bobby coming. The moment finally comes. Bobby reaches the intersection a half a block away from us. As Bobby and his team (Bob’s Army) slowly get closer the struggle he is having becomes painfully visible. With someone on either side of him steadying his balance and his visibly shaken and exhausted body, we watch as a man fights harder to put three miles behind him than most of us have ever had to fight to do anything. As he gets closer it's evident that he's crying and struggling to drag one foot in front of the other. He manages a step with his right foot and seconds pass before he's able to muster the strength to pull the left one up in front of it. His legs look so frail but his determination is unbreakably strong. Four hours after Bobby set out to prove this disease didn't own him, he moved a massive three mile mountain, and Bobby finished the walk on his feet.

As the tears are pouring down the faces of Bobby, his family and friends beside him, and all of us standing there to share this moment and cheer him on, I was reminded once again why it is that we're fighting so hard to try to cure a disease that strikes without bias, for reasons that aren't yet known, and with outcomes that no one can foresee. My faith has been renewed in the power of believing in oneself, and my attitude towards this fight is one that will not be shaken.

Bobby has proven for the second year in a row that limits are boundaries that we set in our own minds. Believing that we CAN'T do something will only result in detriment to our character and possibly missed opportunities to witness miracles happen. As we watched Bobby finish something that he had been told that for him, would be impossible, I realized that physical limitation interfering with one's aspirations is invalid and only true when one gives in to the idea that they're weaker than their biggest challenge. As long as we have the will, there is always a way.

To everyone that was able to share Bobby Welker's victory, and to those that can imagine the heart and determination it took for him to cross that line no matter what - it is my hope that you will join me at Walk MS 2010 as we continue our fundraising and walk in support of everyone we know who fights Multiple Sclerosis. If we are all lucky enough to stick around for a couple hours after the walk, we just might have the opportunity to share the moment when Bobby and others just as determined as he cross the finish line again. I promise you, after witnessing that, your life will be a little richer, your perspective a little clearer, and your desire to fight this disease a lot stronger. As hard as it is for me to admit, my biggest personal challenge and greatest fear is not knowing where this disease will challenge Seth and I in the future. Not knowing what to expect is the hardest part, but the support that we receive from all of you through your support and volunteer efforts is what keeps us believing that no matter what challenges are thrown our way, we have the greatest support system anyone could ask for, and I have to believe that our efforts are making and will continue to make a cure for MS possible."

-Jess Bowers

Lucky 13's Captain

As Bobby came to the end I lost it and started bawling, not only because it was a complete honor to witness such strength and determination, but because my heart ached for him and what this disease has done to his body. Although this disease may have taken his strength, it definitely has not taken his spirit and seeing his face as he crossed the finish line will be a memory I hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.

It's moments like these that remind me why I walk, why I fundraise, why I volunteer and why I fight. It may have taken Bobby four hours to finish, but he did and he did it with tears in his eyes, a smile on his face and success in his heart. Moments like these wouldn't be possible without every single person who donates, who volunteers, who walks, who rides and most of all who cares. Thanks for being a part of my fight.

If you want to see The Lucky 13's progress click here

If you want to see visit Bobby's personal page click here

Here are some pictures from the rest of our walk! We had a great time with an amazing ending and I can't wait until next year.

Mah Be and ISteven and CourtneyJojo and K-dawgBird and MikeTrace and his daughter LucyAt lunch

Captain and Co-captainsDrew and ILaura, Sam and I

Good friends with big hearts

Tim and Bryce