2008 TeamWalk Summaries

California   Massachusetts  New York  North Carolina   Pennsylvania  Tennessee

Quest for the Cure Seminar
Magnificent Mile Race and North Carolina TeamWalk
Raleigh - September 13-14

 Organized and submitted by Sarah Witt

The weekend of September 13th-14th was truly magnificent. Things got rolling the morning of the 13th with the Quest for the Cure Seminar. Starting off the show was Dr. Nina Tang Sherwood of Duke University and the recipient of a 2006 SPF grant for HSP research. She gave a fascinating presentation in which she discussed her research into Drosophila fly models of human disease such as AD-HSP and the role of spastin in the nervous system. She even brought two vials of real live fruit flies!

Next up was Wesley Reynolds, a doctoral student of PT at Elon College who is completing his final rotation at Aquatic Physical Therapy & Beyond. Wes gave a fabulous talk on how water-based physical therapy and exercises can help those who suffer from spasticity. He even discussed the insurance issues patients are likely to encounter and how to get around them. Click here to see his presentation.

Last on the program was Dr. Richard Bedlack, director of the Duke ALS Clinic and a former member of SPF's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Bedlack talked about the current barriers to PLS research, how they can be overcome, and some exciting research ideas he has for speeding up the diagnostic process. Currently, neurologists wait four years before declaring that a patient has PLS rather than ALS, which Bedlack says makes it extremely difficult to get PLS studies off the ground.

Sunday the 14th proved to be a hot, sunny day typical of early fall in North Carolina. But that didn’t stop more than 600 walkers, runners, and rollers from participating in the Magnificent Mile Race and the NC TeamWalk. We had a couple hundred more folks who came out just to watch. The men’s competitive mile race was thrilling. The winner zoomed down the straight-of-way to finish in 4:11. Another 20 men ran the mile in less than 5 minutes. The women’s race was equally exciting. Cece Russell gave her usual impressive performance—she finished her mile in 15 minute and 54 seconds on forearm crutches.

However, there’s no doubt about who stole the day. That award goes to four-year-old Nathan and 22-month-old Brady Rocheleau of Greensboro, NC. The sons of Jim and Shea, both boys have HSP and both ran their hearts out in the kids’ 100-meter dash. The most beautiful moment of the entire weekend was the when the winner of the women's competitive mile race (who clocked a 5:15 mile) helped Brady cross the finish line. Dry eyes were in short supply.

Many thanks to those who attended one or both events: Craig and Linda Gentner; Cece, Jesse, and Jim Russell; Daniel and Roberta Gibbs; Jim, Shea, Nathan, and Brady Rocheleau; Gary, Linda, Amy, Scott, and Claire Corsmeier; Ronnie Grove and friends Mary Jo Knight and Linda Buzzard; Don and Bettie Jo Wilson; Vickie and Tony Beauchamp; Judith West; and Steve Travers. Equal thanks and praise goes to the numerous volunteers and sponsors who helped make it all possible.

Mount Kisco Sales Days
New York TeamWalk
Mount Kisco - September 5-6

 Organized and submitted by Ann Lakin

On September 5th and 6th, the SPF participated in the Mt. Kisco Sale Days. We had a vendor table, which the Mt. Kisco Chamber of Commerce paid for. At the table, we sold various SPF items, gave out brochures explaining PLS and HSP, and promoted our TeamWalk.

The TeamWalk was September 7th, and the weather was gorgeous. About 25 people participated. Around 12:30, we took our short walk to the end of the street and then came back. Once everyone settled in, we did the raffles. Betsy Baquet was the big winner. Besides the 50/50, she won about three other items. Betsy donated her 50/50 winnings back to the SPF.

So many people and local businesses gave so generously. One man bought $50.00 worth of raffle tickets. Various businesses donated food and participants brought water.
 
Everyone was pleased with the lovely items that were raffled off and a good time was had by all. From the raffles we earned $168, from registration we got $155 and we received $622 in donations. All in all, it was a very successful weekend.

                        

New England TeamWalk Connection
Woburn, MA - September 13

Thirty people gathered around the picnic tables by the shore of Horn Pond in Woburn, Massachusetts to share tidbits of their own stories. While many were people who regularly attend the SPF Connections in MA, several drove in quite a distance from Maine, Connecticut and New York to come to a first-time SPF event.

We heard Pat tell of the wonderful outings she’s found for her wheelchair bound son “T”, including climbing a mountain and skiing. John Swain donned an English device, Musmate, that improves one's gait by helping lift the foot up. Musmate was recently approved by the FDA for sale in the United States. 

Pahl Rice read an article Joel Seidman wrote about exciting recent stem cell research findings from Harvard Stem Cell Institute. Pahl also shared the inspirational poem Don't Give Up (by Eagle Eye Cherry). Maureen Hall shared about her recreational sports adventures through Northeast Passage, including biking, waterskiing and kayaking. Several people described benefits they are finding through having the baclofen pump. John thanked Kathi Geisler warmly for all she has done and continues to do for SPF and especially those of us in New England.

Following the sharing and lunch, we had our TeamWalk on the sidewalk along the Pond. The weather was spectacular and the scenery delightful - a great setting and ending for another wonderful TeamWalk Connection. Although sponsorships are still coming in, this Connection should raise around $40,000 for SPF Research Awards.

Don't Give Up poem, by Eagle Eye Cherry