Alumni Champions

32 years ago, Scott was diagnosed with MS. Like many patients with MS, the first symptoms came on slowly, but eventually created daily obstacles. Scott was able to overcome them with medication and a positive attitude, continuing his career at John Deere as a logistics expert for a total of 30 years. In 2010, Scott's symptoms became more acute and he found his daily struggle with MS had confined him to a wheelchair and scooter. Today, Scott's biggest challenge is the inconsistency from day to day – even hour to hour. Many tasks take 5 to 10 times the time, effort and patience someone without MS would take to complete. Physical mobility and a daily positive attitude have become increasingly difficult to maintain. A few years ago, he met Les at a mutual friend's birthday party. Now they are Wrestling MS teammates and inspire each other in their personal triumph over MS. Scott now has a pull up bar and a winch to assist him into his recumbent bicycle which has several custom accessories to allow for easier operation. Scott also has a training routine and dietary opportunities. Scott and his friend Les will continue to fight MS every day; sometimes winning, sometimes not, but getting up every day with the tools and the expectation of beating this disease down one more time.

MS has chosen to live with me since 2004, there are many sacrifices I have made to accommodate for it. Some changes I hated, sacrificing hobbies, adapting the loss of vision caused by optic neuritis, and other MS challenges. Additions such as the new friendships and riding a bike cannot be replaced. The bike made me eat better, be more active, sleep better, gave me back a hobby. Each month I get an infusion to help keep MS at bay, but if the weather is right I get on the bike. Last year I did 5,500 miles on the bike, this year my goal is 6,500. Barring bad weather and health I will get there. 2,125 miles down and 4,375 to go.