NeuroTalk Support Groups - Austin To Boston ALS Walk Begun

The walk of her life

Austin woman, headed to Boston, stops in Athens

By Rich Flowers

An Austin woman stopped in Athens Thursday as she walks from Austin to Boston to raise money and awareness in the fight against the degenerative muscular disease ALS.

Tracy Schach plans to complete the 2,000-mile journey by June, in time for the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5K run, named in honor of her mother who died of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2002. The event benefits the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital. The family’s connection with Boston is through Timlin’s son Mike, who pitched for the Red Sox.

“The one thing I found out talking to people is a lot of people don’t understand how ALS works and the fact that it’s fatal with every one of its victims,” Schach said. “Walking is my favorite form of exercise and I’m good at talking so I’m combining the two. I’m going to walk and talk for those who no longer can.”

Schach believes although most people have heard of ALS, they’re not aware of the devastating effect it has on its victims and families. She witnessed the progression of the disease first-hand by serving as her mother’s chief caregiver during her struggle.

“Mom was a strong vibrant woman. Even after she lost her power of speech to the point most people couldn’t understand her she kept telling me what she would do when she got well,” Schach said. “She was an artist and would say she wanted to visit some of the old churches around Austin when she got better.”

The walk covers 20 to 25 miles per day, with family members following close behind in an RV. The vehicle was parked at the Athens Marina, Thursday, as they re-fueled and taped down the big yellow sign that reads, “Austin to Boston-ALS Awareness Walk.” The sign had taken a beating in the high winds and gusts generated by passing 18-wheelers.

“We’re working on a really, really tight budget,” Schach said.

The walk left Austin following the route of Interstate 35 to Waco, then along State Highway 31 to Athens. From there Schach treks to Texarkana and travels U.S. Highway 67 across Arkansas to Tennessee.

Schach says the weather has been warm and windy since her departure.

“The sun has been beating down on me and that’s the hardest part. It’s been unbearable at times. My feet start to hurt when I get close to that 20-mile mark. I’ve talked to several doctors and got all kinds of advice about taking care of my feet.”

Nephew Gary Shepperd navigates, keeping track of which road to take to each little town on the journey. Her son Robert is the driver.

“It’s cool, all the little towns you see. Like this place, a diamond in the rough. You don’t get to see this stuff very often,” Shepperd said.

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e-mail rflowers@athensreview.com