http://www.omaha.com/article/2011093...-50th-marathon

I loved this story. I wonder if it is possible to will yourself to walk and run again? He seems to have done it, but I'm thinking he isn't past the healing part of MS yet. I'm happy for him, though...yeaaaaaa!!!

DH likes to kid me that I can't walk because "YOU'RE JUST NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH." I refuse to be guilted by stories of others who try and can. I never ran marathons or climbed mountains. Not going to start now or be inspired. With MS I found it works in mysterious ways and will and want often don't factor in. I have no control as I try to move my leg or use my hand. I can do this but then one day I just can't.

I think it's nice that this guy could do his marathons. Nice that his MS isnt being an evil little <swear word> that keeps him from doing things he likes to do.

There's no way in hell I'll ever be able to do something like that, partly because I have no interest...and mostly because my MS is an evil vindictive creature that comes out to pick on me whenever I want to do something.

I just thought some people might like the story.

Erin,
It is a good story. I was just so sick of some people who don't do stuff sending this person they know with MS (me) inspiring stuff like that's the answer to my problems. People with MS don't bug me like some without who think they know. I'm just at the end of my rope right now.

I know what you mean. Stories like that make us look like wimps and that we're not trying..Grrrrrrr!!!

If it were as simple as mind over matter I doubt that any of us would be sitting on the couch wishing we could be outside doing something else.

While I'm happy for this guy......those who don't have MS tend to think that this applies to everyone. I'd love to be able to run or climb stairs again. Never in a million years did I ever think I wouldn't be able to do those things at 50. It's just annoying when others see stories like this and think I'm just not trying hard enough.

When someone sends or tells me an inspirational story, I try to consider the source. Some people really irk me, and I have to force myself to let it go, or at least keep my reaction to myself.

Most people have good intentions, to be encouraging or whatever. To them I usually say something like "Thank you for thinking of me and sharing that. If only everybody's story could end that way!"

It's the ones that I know are really saying "you don't have enough faith" or "you just need to TELL yourself you can" that test my patience. I have a family member like that. Work through it. It's all in your attitude. (He holds himself to those same impossible standards--God forbid he ever becomes seriously ill or disabled).

Once I told him, "You just keep working on that positive thinking...who knows, maybe you can grow yourself some compassion."

Reminds me of the old poem:

"If wishes were horses
Beggars might ride"

My mother used to say that to me virtually every time I said "I wish...."