I have met the most incredible, inspiring people through Happy First! Mary Bene and I think we first met when I did a Happy First Trunk show at one of our favorite shoe stores, The Glass Slipper. Then we became friends on facebook. The other day I mentioned on my facebook page I was sad that Lilly Pulitzer died, and Mary said she was really sad about Annette Funicello. I didn’t even know that Annette had Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I knew Mary was a very inspiring, upbeat person dealing with MS and so I asked her to share her story. And she was delighted to! She believes it is her mission to shed a light on MS. So here is her story.
Where do I begin to tell my story of how my MS life? After a year of going thru many doctor’s visits and a multitude of why my walking was rapidly going downhill, I was diagnosed with MS in 2003. Instead of sitting back and not doing anything, I got moving and got involved. I also began my MS therapy drug on December 24, 2003 which is daily injection and hopes to slow the progression of my course of MS.
I was able to keep up my exercise thanks to my elliptical trainer I have in my home. I attended a newly diagnosed program sponsored by the OK Chapter of the National MS Society. After that program, I became very involved in the Chapter. I have participated in walks, ridden in the annual Bike MS, and initiated a couple of out of the box fundraisers for the Chapter. I was instrumental in getting a specialty license plate for MS in Oklahoma.
I been awarded so many wonderful opportunities since being diagnosed and have met so many wonderful people that I wouldn’t otherwise know. If I had to give that up and not have MS, I don’t think I would. I know that my journey with MS can change at any time. I am thankful for those who have gone before me and the knowledge they have passed on to me which is another form of movement.
Stop moving? I will keep moving and keep fighting for all of us with MS. That’s why I bike, raise money, and talk up MS whenever given the opportunity.
To all who donate money to find a cure for MS, I thank you. You are making a difference in the lives of so many people.
Mary Benes