This bike ride was absolutely precious
by Beth
Earlier this week Chris Dillon, the Veteran Services and Community OneSource Manager here at Easter Seals, shared a wonderful story about a long bike ride he took to help people who have MS. I thought you blog readers would enjoy it as much as I did.
You’re not going to believe this
by Christopher Dillon
Just got in. Sitting is a little difficult, but it was definitely worth my little bit of discomfort. Here’s why.
At the rest stop on Mile 76 on Saturday, I met a woman who was a volunteer and was just thanking everyone for riding. I came up to get some Gatorade and a lens cleaner for my sunglasses, and she thanked me for riding. She kept saying that it was because of the riders that she was able to get the new medicine to keep her MS in remission for nearly 2 years.
We just started talking, and I found out that her husband was a Vietnam Veteran and he had called an organization called Easter Seals and spoke with a lady named Shannon Thompson. She said that Shannon was wonderful and gave her husband a list of organizations that could help him. “And they have!” she exclaimed.
She then asked me what I do. “You’re not going to believe this,” I told her. “But I am the Veteran Services and Community OneSource Manager for Easter Seals, and I work with Shannon.” She came around the table and gave me a hug and told me to give Shannon a hug for her and her husband. The expression on her face is something that I will never forget. Absolutely priceless.
At that moment it didn’t matter that I had 24 miles to go, 17 miles of it into a strong head wind, legs feeling like spaghetti and a big challenge to sit on a bike seat. It was definitely worth it! I already know I am going to sign up and do it again in 2014. And next year? I think maybe 175 miles…!