Personally, I am so excited for our INO Cares campaign this month. I was asked to select my favorite non-profit and this decision took less than 1/1000th of a second - The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Last year at only 27, my little sister, Casey Thompson, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It started with tingling in her hands and feet. Then the fatigue and dizziness set it. She knew something was wrong, but Multiple Sclerosis wasn't even on her radar. After more severe symptoms appeared, doctors suspected MS and Casey was in and out of the National Institute of Health meeting with some of the world's best Neurologists and MS specialists. She was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) which is characterized as clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function.
My sister, who is an athletic trainer and concussion care specialist, has always been an active person with an interest in physical fitness. So, having a disease like MS is particularly difficult. Not only does she have to power through times of severe fatigue, decrease in cognitive function and general pain, but she also has the emotional ups and downs that come with the unknowns of a life with MS.
Last year, my family and her friends did Walk MS to raise funds and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis in Casey's honor. This year, Casey decided to take on a more physical challenge. She will be running the Fredrick 1/2 Marathon, barring any major MS flare-ups, on May 3, 2015.
She is a strong woman, and honestly MS is not the hardest thing in life that she's had to deal with. But MS is scary and it's hard to not worry about what life will look like tomorrow, let alone what it will look like 10 years from now. However, Casey is not letting it stop her and she's determined to never use it as an excuse. Instead, MS is motivation and the Fredrick 1/2 Marathon is a way to raise money for MS research, challenge herself, preserve her body through fitness and show MS that it won’t stop her from reaching her goals.
For our March 2015 campaign, INO Cares is proud to sponsor Casey as she races in the Fredrick 1/2 Marathon and raises money for multiple sclerosis research!
I hope to give you a marathon follow-up in May.
Learn more about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Casey's Fredrick 1/2 Marathon.
Here's to making the world a more compassionate place,
Lindsay Bittinger
INO.com, Inc.
To my sister's INO family: THANK YOU not only for donating year after year to my fundraising goals, but also for treating my sister and her family so well. She is lucky to work with you all.
The Frederick Half is in 24 days. We continue to train hard weekly, but I also have to pay close attention to what my body is telling me. Some weeks have certainly been easier than others. The mental challenge continues to be the hardest part, not only with training but in my everyday life. I am pushing my body to preserve....and so far, its responding. I am beyond grateful for that.
I wish you all a happy and healthy summer! Thanks again 🙂
Your child with MS will have character many will never know! Its is these difficult struggles that make us life long champions from within.
PLEASE do not forget what I wrote to you about ENOUGH Vitamin D3 , and so I am notv(name dropping here) you can access the site I told you about, and request an MS protocol .
I can prove with neighbors,.kids. 5 & 11. a huge difference.
Mary Ann,
Thank you very much for your email. I shared it with my sister. Unfortunately last week they found more lesions on her spine, so they are modifying her medications. I'm sure she'll mention the Vitamin D3 to her docs.
Thanks again,
Lindsay Bittinger
INO.com, Inc.
Lindsay,
We admire Casey's strength and outlook! We will be cheering her during the Frederick 1/2 Marathon.
Dave & Amy
Well done! My son, with 3 children, has MS. He, too, is "plowing" through it. But it's so very difficult. Thank you for all you do!
Suzette,
We wish your son strength and good health! Hopefully, a cure is within reach. MS makes life difficult, but it's made easier with the support of family and friends!
Best wishes,
Lindsay Bittinger
INO.com, Inc.