I was diagnosed with M.S. 11 years ago. Of course, I had no idea what it was going to do to me. Would it put me in a wheelchair? Would I be able to work? Could I have sex?

Filling a person’s mind with “would I’s” and “could I’s” will in itself destroy a person. I decided to not to think about the “would I’s”, and to take each day as it comes.

I grew up in a neighborhood with 12-15 guys around my age. We played every sport imaginable. We also kidded and joked with each other constantly. Hence, when I was diagnosed I did my best to take the stance that I will do everything in my power NOT to let M.S. take away my laughter, joking, going out and doing things and risk taking. I’ll do my best to be the best husband and father, the best employee, to be a good friend and neighbor, and to do it with laughter and fun. (I fall short everyday, but I am striving for the above and it helps me to manage my circumstances better.)

Six or seven years ago I heard of a wilderness program that actually takes disabled people hiking and mountain climbing. They take the disabled people rock climbing and even rappelling while camping out under the stars. The program sounded great, and I was able to go. It practically changed my life. I saw there were things I could do. It defied my self-perceived limitations. It gave the ugly jerkface, thieving M.S. monster imbedded within me a “right cross.” It gave me a jolt of inspiration, courage, and sense of the things I can do – and told me not to stop trying. It was fun, encouraging, uplifting, heartening, and promoted my well-being. It gave me new hope. It told me my life could still be worthwhile and productive. It gave me hope for the future! People even commented on how I had a new glow about me.

Well, due to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and the new Betaseron^® Champions of Courage^SM grant program, I was able to do it again this summer. I got another boost. It was fantastic and very challenging because the M.S. had progressed since the trip six years ago.

Also, due to the fact that I can’t work as hard, my income has gone down. I thought there was no way I could afford to go.

The trip I just took should encourage people, regardless of their circumstances, that there are ways to get things done. Here I was -- a man with limited resources with a progressive disease, and I was still able to take this trip.

It also showed me there ARE people out there who want to help AND DO help. We just need to take the initiative to let others know what we would like to do. It does not have to be a trip to California to mountain climb. That might not be your thing. It could be a trip to Disney, Six Flags, or the Capital. It might be a trip to the park to watch birds and ducks. As you know, there are a lot of healthy people sitting on their butts and watching TV. Please know there ARE things we can do, and people who want to help. Without the help of God, my family and my friends, I don’t know where I would be.

By Robert E. (Bob) Hughes