Why this means so much.

I’ve updated you on my ride progress, now I think it is time to put faces with the names and to tell the stories. These three people are the reason I am pushing myself harder than ever this year. I’d like for you to get to know them.

I can honestly say that if there is some greater force that has a purpose in life, it is what brought Heather Buchanan and I together. On a hot July night in Arlington two years ago, I was pulled over by a blue VW Bug, while driving an MS150 Pickup truck. A young woman approached me and asked if I worked for the MS Society. Once I told her who I was and the riding I did, she began to cry and thank me. You see Heather had a terrible day with her MS. As a matter of facet, it was the worst year of her life. She was seven months into her diagnosis and life was not the same. I just saw Heather last week. A year later life was getting better, she had begun a new drug that had great promise. Heather felt almost 100%, but then Tysabri, made by Biogen was pulled off the market worldwide. Days are a little more difficult no, but hopefully for everyone with MS Tysabri returns to market soon.


One of the greatest families I have had the pleasure of meeting are the McLean’s. I guess I really should have never met them because one day when I made a sales call on Cliff, I believe he was ready to kick this salesperson out like he does many others, but we hit it off and have been good friends a long time now. Cliff’s brother Drake is married to Karlen, and she has MS. She is also an editor of Eyecare Business, so I’ll do my best to keep the typos down.



Karlen began her career with relapsing-remitting MS over 16 years ago. Two weeks after a 110 foot scuba dive her balance was off, she swerved when walking, her feet felt like they were being held over a blowtorch, and finally Karlen lost most of the function of her right arm. Now, after 16 years, MS really hit Karlene mentally. Before, it was a physical struggle to get through. Once she was through it I could be days, weeks, or months, before remembering MS was part of her life. Now,having MS is a lifelong commitment: a reminder when Karlen injects herself everyday that MS will always be with her. Karlen is now on her first month of Copaxone therapy. So far, so good, no adverse reactions other than an ache at the injection site for about a half-hour after injecting. She starts her day with a needle and a prayer. One is that there is a viable, well-tolerated oral med for MS soon. The other is that we find a cure in her lifetime. Not just for Karlen, but for everyone MS has touched, including the medical community, friends, and loved ones.



Now, for the person we all owe a lot to, Tara Raabe. You see, without Tara, you would not be getting the awesome prints I send out to donors. Why you ask? Well Tara works for the lab that does all of my printing. She is the greatest. There are times when I ask for more than I should and she always comes through. Now, the shoe is kind f on the other foot. Tara was diagnosed this year with MS. She’s been through a lot of testing, never fun. She’s dealing with what having MS is going to mean to her life. MS doesn’t just arrive one day and stays the same. Once you know you have it, you’re well aware that it is going to rob you of a good number of the things that make you, you.Tara’s done a lot for me, and now I want to help her. Maybe, just maybe the donation you make can help make her bad days better, and her good days great. Plus, if you make a donation that earns you a print, you know Tara will take care so you get an incredible photograph.

Well, I hope you can understand my dedication to raise money and awareness for the battle against MS. I truly believe that in my lifetime, and with your support, the medical community can and will find not only cures but also preventions so that no one has to suffer from MS again. I’m riding because tight now, they can’t, but I hope that one day they can. Maybe it’s not riding a bike, but it could be as simple as doing the things that MS has robbed them of. The small moments in life when the pain keeps them from joining in. The large moments in life when MS keeps them from being fully the person they are. It’s with our help and support that they will one day receive their lives back from MS. Until then we need to keep the effort up. While I’m on the road this year, I’ll be wearing bandanas signed by all three of these strong women and their supporters. When you make a donation I hope you will also keep them and all the others who’s lives have been touched by MS.

Right now I am far from my goal. I need your help. They need your help. Please do whatever you can to help make this year the most successful effort I have made for them. Click on a photo to make a donation. Contact me if you’d like to send a check. Pass this on to everyone you know. Please help do whatever you can to help. – As always Thank you. Until the next update be well. - Scott

Donation Link: http://ms150.org/b2b/donate/donate.cfm?id=170999