{"id":6083,"date":"2013-02-16T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-02-16T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.glutenfreeislife.com\/?p=6083"},"modified":"2013-02-16T10:12:58","modified_gmt":"2013-02-16T15:12:58","slug":"miles-for-myelin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glutenfreeislife.com\/?p=6083","title":{"rendered":"Miles for Myelin"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have a close friend who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis<\/a> (MS) in October of 2006.\u00a0 I met Melissa just a little over a year ago while training for 5 half marathons with MIT<\/a>.\u00a0 We ran together for many miles of training and then for 3 of my 5 half marathons last year.\u00a0 Melissa is an amazing woman who is doing a phenomenal job of showing MS who is boss \u2013 she runs her MS, it does not run her<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Melissa and me completing our last half marathon of 2012 with a PR for her \u2013 1:54:25<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Melissa started a team \u2013 Miles for Myelin<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 to help raise money to support cutting edge research projects, as well as provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS today.\u00a0 I have happily joined this team and will be running for MS<\/a> because I want to do something for the people who have been diagnosed – and because we want to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with MS. Today, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, and with a diagnosis occurring every hour in this country, it\u2019s time to act. Diagnosis is most common between the ages of 20 and 50, and individuals face a lifetime filled with unpredictability.\u00a0 I will be running the Cap City Half<\/a> Marathon (for the third time) on May 4, 2013 as a Miles for Myelin team member.<\/p>\n

More about Melissa and her story:<\/p>\n

I love saying Run MS! My motto since the beginning has been, “I have MS, it doesn’t have me”. Since finding out that I have MS in 2006 my life has changed completely. I have changed completely. I have learned who I am and I have learned that I can do ANYTHING that I put my mind to. I love saying Run MS because I fear that someday MS might Run me. Not today though. Today I<\/strong> run my MS and today I will do everything I\u00a0 can to keep it that way for a very long time.<\/p>\n

I have known since October 10, 2006 that I have Multiple Sclerosis. I decided, maybe that not day but shortly after, that I couldn’t be sorry for myself. Life would go on and I could either hate every day and be miserable or work with what I did have. At that time, I had no strength on the right side of my body. In fact I was admitted to the Hospital for having a stroke. I couldn’t write or use my right arm for much of anything, my mouth drooped (really not attractive!) and my right foot kinda drug on the ground when I walked.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, with a lot of steroids, physical therapy and occupational therapy I regained most of the strength that was lost. I’ve had flare ups since then and I’ve been through 4 different drugs. I’m on the 5Th now and it seems to be doing it’s job. Thank you God. But there are side effects. In fact, all of the options have very severe side effects. That is why I am so passionate about raising awareness and funds for research. I have three children and a husband that I never want to cause burden or pain. I hope that someday soon they can discover not only better treatments but a cure.<\/p>\n

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:30<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Melissa also follows a gluten-free (Paleo) diet to manage her MS and her daughter\u2019s ADHD.\u00a0 You can follow her progress and yummy meals on her Facebook page \u2013 Run This House<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I am trying to reach a goal of raising $500 to help Melissa reach her goal of raising $10,000 this year for Multiple Sclerosis.\u00a0 Can you help us reach that goal?<\/strong>\u00a0 Click here to donate<\/a> \u2013 every bit counts, but for each donation of at least $5.00 you will be entered to win a box of gluten-free goodies from Gluten-Free is Life<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

The package will include:<\/p>\n