Help Christin raise money

My connection to MS began before I was even born. My mom, Leona, began experiencing fatigue, visual changes, and extremity numbness at the age of 35, a couple years prior to my birth. Growing up, I never had any doubts that my mother loved me fiercely but from a young age, I noticed the physical differences in how she was able to parent. How she had to space out activities, take rest days for herself when on a vacation, and pick and choose what events were the most meaningful to attend (when I know she wanted to be at everything). Now, looking back as an adult, and mother myself, I can see how frustrated and heartbroken she was by this, and I can better appreciate all of the ways that she was able to show up for me throughout the first 30 years of my life.

 In January of 2020, my mom and dad retired, sold their business of nearly 40 years, bought their dream house and welcomed their first grandchild. They were finally ready to start a new chapter in life together. Unfortunately, in the later part of 2020 my mother’s disease started to progress rapidly, resulting in near complete paralysis, severe autonomic dysfunction and eventual respiratory failure. She passed from these complications of advanced MS in the early morning of April 25, 2021.

The best analogy I can think of to relate to those months was watching the book of my mother’s life be slammed abruptly shut by this disease, when there were still so many chapters left to read. Like she was just getting to the best part, the part she had worked so hard to achieve, and it just ended. My heart mourns the relationship she never got to have with her now two grandsons. 

Witnessing all of this and helping my father care for my mother 24/7 in their home with the help of hospice services, forever changed my outlook on life. I live with immense gratitude for all my body can do. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love to move, whether it’s running, strength training, yoga, Pilates, aerobics, gardening, yard work, my career as a nurse, or just chasing after my boys on a daily basis. I live in awe that I am able to get up everyday and enjoy an active life while so many people cannot.

In honor of my mother and the 5th anniversary of her death, I have chosen to use my abilities to run the 2026 Falmouth Road Race and raise money for the MS society as a part of Team Finish MS. I’m particularly hopeful for the newest therapies regarding the potential for myelin regeneration, treatments that my mom died waiting for. I’m running for a world free of MS where the life stories of people like my mom can keep going for many more chapters (and maybe even an epilogue). Where they are able to live longer fuller lives with their families and do all the activities that make them happy and fulfilled. Please consider donating to my cause to help me reach my fundraising goal and finish MS. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.