Here we are once again acknowledging the disease called Multiple Sclerosis and supporting our family and friends affected by its unpredictableness and life changing ability. I have participated in the MS Walk in some fashion since 2013. The first year I really didn’t know what to expect so I came in as a volunteer. I also had not shared with many people what I knew to be Multiple Sclerosis, even though I was not officially diagnosed. That would come a year later. The next few years I did actually walk. The last 2 years I struggled to walk the full mile due to the route being unfriendly to people with MS. This year the location was changed but I am not sure that it was for the better. I didn’t walk this year. My legs were tired and I just didn’t feel like walking fucking slow as a turtle. Ugh…it gets frustrating sometimes. Also, I had just a little more trim to finish on the blanket that I have now adopted as my yearly tradition.
This year I was determined to give a blanket to a man. The first 2 years I was able to bless two lovely women with beautiful blankets. I was lead to these ladies by God and I am glad that I followed through. Here they are for anyone new to this blog.
My mom had actually been working on blankets to give to veterans that utilizes wheelchairs. I did make one blanket for the veterans but I dislike putting them together so I can’t show you the finished product at this point. Will share once my mom connects the squares 😁😁😁. Those blankets gave me an idea. I decided to give a blanket to an individual with MS who uses a wheelchair. Since the blanket would be smaller than my standard blanket, I decided to make two of them. Pretty ambitious for me. I am lazy when I crochet. I do it at my own pace and I am easily distracted when I am working on a project.
Now I picked out my colors and was pretty solid on them. My mom however had an issue with one of my colors. She is such a hater 😂😂😂. We had intense discussions about yarn. Can you believe it?!?!? Yarn!!! 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ Here was the options.
Anyways I submitted a poll to six people and she got the majority vote so we went with it. And since she wanted it so bad, I told her she had to crochet it. She did the orange parts of the blanket and I did the variegated.
I have to admit, once it was all put together, I actually liked it. Not sure if I would have liked my pick better though. This lovely blanket was given to a young lady by the name of Mandy. She had a great support system with her that day. They were loving on her and friendly and welcoming. They asked for me or my friend Bridgette to take a picture for them. Bridgette took the pic. I debated on which blanket to give her because her team colors and even her shoelaces were lime green. The blanket with lime green would have matched Mandy better. But I was determined to give a man a blanket that year. Bridgette and I figured as sweet as they were she probably wouldn’t care if it didn’t match her team colors. The rest of my team made it back just in time to catch her team before they disbursed. We all had an emotional moment presenting that blanket.
Mandy was totally cool and I am happy that God lead me to present her with that blanket. She even gifted me with a bracelet.
Now to find a man using a wheelchair. I had seen a gentleman earlier when I was working on finishing the blanket. Here is the finished product.
I figured I would find him later when my team had came back. Not exactly. Most people didn’t even come back in the building. They were still hanging around outside. I was getting a little nervous that I would not be able to find a man for the blanket I had made specifically for him. As we stood outside there was a team that was at the finish line taking pictures. I had found my guy. Now I am not sure if it was the original man that I seen but he was the man that was getting this blanket. I walked over to him and introduced myself and told him that he was my guy 😂😂😂. Yeah I used those exact words. I shared with him that I had MS and my goal was to give a man with MS who utilized a wheelchair a blanket. Bob was definitely touched by my words and his gift. I was ecstatic that I had found another great person to give a blanket. His family shared that Bob always complains of being cold and that the blanket was perfect for him. Yes God knows what He is doing.
I am undecided about the new walk location but I do love the walk. It is great meeting new people and making connections. I love the support I get from my friends and family who walk and even the ones who are unable. I know that they would be here if they could. For some it was just not a good time because it conflicted with very important issues going on in their life. My prayers to you mom. Also the date of the walk was pushed back and it made it difficult for some people to attend. It was actually held on my friend Selena’s birthday. Happy Birthday broad!!!! I also love to see the team shirts and so many people who show up for and support people affected by MS. I am not sure if our loved ones know how much it means to us to have people in our corner. It makes me feel overwhelmed with love. This is some pretty sappy shit coming from me. But I am so serious. I see the love and support every day not just for the walk. Thank you my loves 🥰🥰🥰.
Not shown one young man taking the pic and another that wanted no part of being in the picture.
For those who were unable to make the MS walk this year, I hope that the date is a little more convenient next year. I really want to do it up big. New team shirts, banners, a marching band. Lol. Just kidding 😂😂😂. I definitely want to have a bigger team and new shirts. I will start planning a little sooner and keep people updated with information regularly. This terrible disease will not get me down or take away my joyful spirit. I am determined to be me. I am determined to be well and whole, in my mind and my spirit even if my body is not. I want you all to be well and whole too. Love you!!