Every hour of every day another person is told “You have the unpredictable disease of Multiple Sclerosis.†MS destroys your central nervous system. You may lose anyone or all of your 5 senses sight, touch, hearing ,smell or taste. This may last a week, month or it could be permanent. The only sure thing about MS is it will adversely affect your life and eventually rob you of your independence.
While the Ravens battle their own aches, pains and mounting injuries, 350 people fought through the difficulties presented by a 30 mile walk in the recently concluded Chesapeake Bay MS Challenge Walk. One of those walkers was 78 year old Bob Breakwell, the father of Jim Breakwell. Jim has spent countless hours trying to raise money to fight MS and to raise society’s awareness of this debilitating disease. Being the selfless man that he is, Jim asked that his Dad be the subject of our sponsor spotlight interview.
Tony Lombardi: At the age of 78 you took on quite a challenge. Why this 30 mile walk and what has drawn you into the cause to fight MS?
Bob Breakwell: I chose to walk at the age of 78 because I have been blessed with relatively good health. I figured this may be the last year I am physically able to walk 30 miles over 2 days. I thought I had been a fan long enough watching as Lynn (my daughter in law) fights the numerous disabilities Multiple Sclerosis has mercilessly hit her with over the last 19 years. I have seen his wife’s health deteriorate since we first met her going from a person that appeared to be a healthy woman at 22 to having had to stay in a nursing home twice following a hospitalization and needing a walker and a chairlift to get around her house and a wheelchair when they go out anywhere at the age of 41. I wanted to show support for him and his family other than the annual sponsorship check of him in the walk each year. I came to the conclusion that it was time to stop holding the clipboard and time to get into the game.
TL: 78 years old…I want to be you when I grow up. What did you do to train for this very noble cause not to mention the 30 miles over the course of 2 days?
At first I only planned on walking one day of the walk. I was not sure if I could do the 20 miles the first day or the 10 miles the second day. I started training 5 weeks before the walk. I went out and walked 9 miles the first day and continued walking 7-10 miles a day 4 or 5 days a week. 2 Weeks before the walk I went out and walked 26 miles over 2 days. It was then I knew I could walk the whole 30 miles.
TL: Now that you have completed the walk would you do it again?
Yes definitely if I am still physically able to. The mind is willing but I am not sure if the body will follow suit next year. I met some wonderful people on the walk route. I saw people with MS who are out there walking for their own cause. People with MS being wheeled around the route by family and friends. There was one lady who lost her father to complications from his MS recently who broke her foot just before the walk who was out there in a wheelchair and typified the people I have met with MS. rarely complaining about how unfair this disease is and not willing to quit.
TL: Where does the money raised from this event go?
When Lynn was first diagnosed in 1988 there were no known cures for MS, not even any long term treatments to slow the progression of MS. In the last 18 years there have been 5 treatment medications which help to slow the progression of the disease with a major portion of the funding for research of these treatments coming from MS Society sponsored fundraising events such as the Chesapeake Bay MS Challenge Walk. In addition to funding research for a cure the MS Society also provides support for people with MS in the helping to fund durable medical goods for people with MS such as walkers, canes,chairlifts, scooters etc. Tools which help people with MS maintain their independence. There are a lot of people with MS who are forced to quit working long before they have reached retirement age and are stuck on a fixed income so purchasing these goods can be hard. The MS Society is a major part of the support network the people with MS and their families need to combat this disease.
The Chesapeake Bay MS Challenge Walk is over now but if people want to help out how would they go about doing so?
They can help out several ways:
1) They can send a check to the MS Society, 11403 Cronhill Drive Suite E, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.
2) They can drop the clipboard like I did and get in the game by participating in the fund raisers the MS Society puts on every year. They can walk in one of the annual 5 mile MS walk’s held in early April each year, The 30 mile Chesapeake Bay Challenge Walk usually held in September here, The longest day of Golf and the ugly bartender contest.
3) They can call 1-800- FightMS ( 1-800-344-4867) Nationally or the local Maryland chapter 443-641-1200
TL: Bob, thanks for joining us today on the Sponsor Spotlight and thank you for fighting the good fight. All the best to you.
