Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has lived within my body for close to twenty years. Although I have spent a great deal of time researching my disease, I know little more than when I was first diagnosed … and I am not alone. We still don’t know the cause or cure, what triggers attacks, why some of us have them and why others are spared.
One thing I have learned over the past year however is that there are a growing number of people defying the odds and perhaps the disease. They are athletes with Multiple Sclerosis.
This year, my act of defiance will be a 34 kilometer iron swim.
As I prepare for the swim I have become increasingly curious about is how my body will respond to the 10 to 12 hours it will take me to complete it. I am even more curious about how it will respond to the training leading up to it.
Over the next 23 weeks I will swim 933 kilometers (579 miles) to prepare. The test – will I be able to prepare my body in such a way that my MS can manage the strain?
Here’s a few links to other MS athletes (in no particular order):
- Conor Devine – Runner
- Carol Moiso – Swimmer
- Margaret N. Finelt – Marathon Runner
- Zoe Koplowitz – Marathon Runner
- Patrick Finney – Marathon Runner
- Stephanie Millward – Swimmer
- Catherine Guglielmo – Marathon Runner
- Marie Lisette Flores – Ironman triathlon
- Seth Matheson – Runner
- Mark Van Meter – Ironman
- Sarah Mead – Marathon Runner
- Josh Harding – Professional Hockey Player
- Demitrius Omphroy – Professional Soccer Player
- Rosary Solimanto – Fitness Buff
- Maureen Manley – Cyclist
- Mike Campaner – Hockey Player
- Ashley Carson – Marathon Runner
- David Kyle – Runner/Cyclist
- Bill Sinak – Iron Runner
- Ray Miller – Runner
- Portia O’Callaghan- Runner
- Beth – Runner
- Lisa – Runner
- Jim Connor – Athlete
- Samantha Griffiths – Marathon Runner
If you know of other athletes with MS please contact me so I can include their stories in the list above.