august 11th

What a day. What a week. What a month. It has been a hard block at work, there were some very serious files these past few days and one in particular has been on my mind.

The 'Run for Joy' campaign is still keeping us busy. Annie and I have spent my days off going door to door in every business from Scott Rd to Tsawwassen Ferries. It is undeniably one of the harder things I have done. I don't find it easy to walk into each business asking for support but a special thanks to the many people I talked to that have made this easier. I have been picking up some great prizes with the promise of many to phone and follow up on - I am almost sleeping through the night again... almost. :)


We have had a flurry of ticket sales this week as the big day approaches - we are fast approaching a sell out and from the bottom of my heart, thank you all! I have organized small fundraisers in the past; through school PACs, church functions, etc. but this has been something different. It started out as a small idea and it has become so much bigger than I first envisioned . When I walk around and see my mother's face in posters on businesses around Delta and Surrey, I can't tell you what it means.
My day started by sending out an email at work after I was given the okay to set up a 50/50 draw. Thanks to co-workers who jumped in to help with advice and ticket sales. I had to drop Annie off this morning in Tsawwassen so after a few hours sleep (night shift last night) I parked my car, gathered my posters and courage and finished canvassing Ladner village. I came away several hours later with a big smile buoyed by all the positive comments and support from shop keepers.
I drove back to Tsawwassen and sat down with a coffee to wait for Annie. I was thinking that today we had caught up with everything we needed to; we had finished the mailouts and emails to media, canvassing most of our targeted businesses. We had followed up on emails and phone calls, updated our website and this was a quiet moment where I didn't have to check my list for the next appointment, the next area to canvass or the next call to make. I looked up and noted one of our posters taped in the window of the coffee shop and then picked up a newspaper on the table, the South Delta Leader from last week. This was one of those rare moments of serendipity with the Leader cover story about Jason DaSilva, a former SDSS grad, who recounted his diagnosis and struggle with M.S. The article gave some background on DaSilva; Jason is a filmmaker, currently living in New York, with a solid repetoire of films to his credit. He has chosen to make a film about his life with M.S. titled "When I Walk'. I called my sister to tell her to check out his website. When I got home my sister called me back, asking if I had a chance to view the trailer for the movie on his site www.wheniwalk.com . I can't tell you the rush of emotions as I sat watching the trailer for his film. I found myself thinking back to two young girls standing with their Dad while their mom lay in a hospital bed. The three of us were all crying, having been told her diagnosis but my mom did what she always did. She shrugged it off as if it was nothing, smiled at us and passed us a Kleenex box. So tonight, I sit here and encourage anyone reading this (I know at least two people actually read my blog) to check out his website. For those families who deal with M.S., you will understand my emotions. For those people unfamiliar with M.S., you will gain understanding.

I will close by saying my entry today has obviously taken an emotional turn. It would be an understatement to say I am tired tonight, but in a good way. I am looking forward to September 6 and trying hard not to think about all the details still to be taken care of as the date draws close. I continue to keep my marathon training light for now (still have hip muscle issues) but it is going well. I have promised Annie a 'day off' tomorrow to thank her for all her work. It's a chance for us to spend the day together wherever she would like before she leaves for Ottawa. So I will end this by promising another entry soon. And please check out Jason DaSilva's website and join me in continuing to work hard at funding a cure for M.S.
One odd thing came to mind when I read the name of Jason's film. He calls it 'When I Walk' and he is pushing himself to the absolute limit just to keep walking. He has reminded me again of the reason that I am running this marathon. Because until there is a cure 'Running for Joy' is something most people with M.S. (like Jason) simply can't do.
Take care