I will keep taking steps toward a world free from MS. I was diagnosed with MS at 29 years old and have lived with this challenge now for the past 18 years of my life. My main symptomatic issues from MS have been constant numbness, tingling (pins and needles), weakness and fatigue. I don't even remember what it feels like to be "normal" any longer, but I still try to enjoy each day. I've lost a better part of the sight in my right eye from a bout of optic neuritis at 31 years old and I've been finding creative ways to help myself deal with the cognitive issues and brain fog I experience so I can continue to earn a living and function every day. I am still relatively mobile, I use my technology to help me with some of the more embarrassing cognitive issues I've encountered and I would estimate that I have been experiencing around 1 to 2 acute exacerbations on average each year to some degree (even while taking DMTs, without I'm much worse). I have been blessed with an amazing family and a career as an Enterprise IT Operations manager. My wife, my friends and my employer have been very supportive of me over the years and I think it takes a lot of support to overcome such a debilitating and often misunderstood illness. I am very thankful for those that have crossed my path with words of encouragement, wisdom, and helpful hands. I try my best to keep my heart light, my humor good, my attitude positive and my mind focused. I'm now 47 years old, it's an odd thing to me because on the inside, I still feel like my old self. In my dreams I experience my "body" in what I perceive as a normal and healthy state, but I don't really remember in my waking moments any longer, what it felt like to have normal function of my body, my legs and normal sensations of touch on my skin. Finding the words in my speaking, that I know are there, but my mouth sometimes struggles to deliver them. Because my dreams are so vivid and that feeling of wholeness seems so real, I often begin the day with an audible whimper as I once again realize that feeling was just a dream and I'm back to my reality. But I do get up, and continue to push myself every day, to be the best that I can be for my family and those that count on and believe in me. Life is short and too precious to be wasted in a state of worry, so I keep moving, and I will keep trying. MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease. While we’ve come a long way in understanding and treating MS, there’s still so much more to do. That's why I'm participating and raising funds, and I hope I can count on you to help fuel progress. The money you donate will drive groundbreaking research and services to ensure people affected by MS, like me, have the resources they need to live their best lives. I will continue to participate in the MS walk, because I feel it has been such a positive experience for me over the years, and I welcome any who would care to join me, whether we're able to meet and walk this year in person, or virtually around the block. Thanks to everyone who reads my long winded posts 😉 I appreciate it, even more so if you can help me by donating to my cause this year. I've set an ambitious goal because with your support, I know I can get there. Are you ready to join me in ending MS forever? My MS Walk Fundraiser Link -any help is appreciated! https://www.facebook.com/donate/2989875544449179/