Meet MS Warrior Koreen Burrow
Rabbit gave Greyhound an “out.” But Greyhound was already enamored of Rabbit’s smarts, sweet disposition, big blue eyes, and dazzling smile. For almost 30 years now, Greyhound has been loving life next to Rabbit’s side, whether it is on a bike meandering through all 50 states or while wearing hiking boots wending through 2,200 miles on the Appalachian Trail.
Koreen Burrow and David Fox (also known as Rabbit and Greyhound respectively on the Appalachian Trail) were engaged in 1991. Koreen was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) before their wedding day and she told David he did not have to marry her. She gave him opportunity to back out, but David was already committed to a lifelong journey with Koreen. He was all “in!”
Koreen was embarrassed about her diagnosis and kept her MS a secret for many years. She felt like “damaged goods” and was not comfortable talking about her MS. Sadly, this is a sentiment shared by so many when diagnosed. After the initial shock of learning your own immune system is betraying you and destroying your body, you cannot help like feeling damaged. This often leads to depression.
There were no disease modifying therapies specifically for MS when Koreen was diagnosed. She was prescribed steroids when her disease Flared up. Koreen was young and strong during the beginning years with MS, so she had the energy to overcome any traces of disability from the exacerbations. She was able to keep up her active life.
In 2006 Koreen suffered a cycling injury that required surgery. Trauma and anesthesia sent her body into a major relapse. She lost her speech and Fine motor skills, experienced cognitive problems, and developed gait issues. She is a fighter and recovered much of what was lost, but not everything.
The severity of the relapse was the impetus for setting Koreen and David on a life- changing journey. They set a goal to participate in Bike MS events in all 50 states, raise money for a cure, and bring awareness of the disease. It took them 10 years to complete 85 events in 50 states. They raised over $150,000.
In the midst of the 50-state journey, Koreen took up running in 2013 to stay in shape during the cycling off-season. She was doing well and completed several half marathons, including Youngstown Runner’s Club Mill Creek Park, Rock and Roll events in Washington DC and Louisiana, and the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon. She ran smoothly and effortlessly like a rabbit and found joy in her new sport. Koreen is one to always set a bar high, so she decided to run a full marathon.
However, training for her first marathon in 2015 did not go well. She started tripping and dragging her left foot while running. During one long run she wore a hole in her shoe because she was scraping her toes along the rough asphalt! She sought the help of several Physical Therapists (PT) who thought her toe drag was probably due to either a back, hip or sciatica problem. After months and months of diligently performing her PT exercises, nothing improved. In fact, her condition worsened to the point where it was difficult just to walk half a mile. She eventually found a gait clinic and an orthotist made a custom ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) to help with foot drop.
Koreen’s first AFO was a huge, bulky military-style boot. It was not made for dynamic activities like running. She had serious issues with bruising and painful blistering. It was depressing and her underlying feeling of being “damaged goods” resurfaced.
Koreen stopped running altogether and came up with a game plan to improve her health. First, she changed her diet by implementing parts of the Wahls Protocol and other “clean eating” programs that focused on high vegetable content and removing a lot of sugar, dairy and gluten. Second, she left a stressful job and made a concerted effort to rest a lot more. Third, she changed her exercise routine. She went back to the gym and did basic strength training, practiced yoga and did more indoor cycling. During this time, she and David continued toward their goal of riding a Bike MS ride in every state. Along with meeting their goal in 2017, she improved her physical strength, flexibility and, more importantly, her mental fortitude.
She met Cheryl in 2017, who not only encouraged her to try running again, but also introduced her to the Hanger Clinic. Her second AFO was lighter and less cumbersome; however, it still gave her blisters because it didn’t Tt well. Yet, Koreen persisted. It was not until she tested the Spry Step AFO by Thuasne in 2018 that she Tnally found the right AFO for her. It was a huge turning point. The SpryStep is carbon composite, super light and flexible. The device renewed her zeal for running short distances and piqued her interest in hiking.
In 2019 she decided to put the Spry Step to the test. Koreen and David embarked on another lofty goal as they decided to hike the Appalachian Trail for MS. It took them almost 7 months to complete the 2,200-mile trail from Georgia to Maine. Koreen carried 30 pounds camping gear (plus two more pounds of MS medication and supplements) while negotiating rocky terrain. She was eaten alive by the mosquitos in the northeast states where at least one person on the trail everyday pointed out her bloody back as if she didn’t already know. And she even broke her hand while on the trail, but continued on because she can. She hiked for those who can’t. She hiked for a cure. Koreen and David raised $13,000 for the MS Society on their journey. And if that wasn’t enough, Koreen took a quick detour to join her Run A Myelin My Shoes teammates in Richmond, Virginia to run her first full marathon! Absolutely incredible!
Through her amazing adventures and advocacy work, whether biking, hiking, running, or standing center stage at an MS Society event sharing her story, Koreen is an inspiration for many people living with the disease. She teaches people to stay motivated by setting a bar high and striving for it. The goal may not be cycling in all 50 states, hiking 2,200 miles or running a marathon, the point is to keep moving and be proud of your achievement. People living with a chronic disease may focus on things they can no longer do. Koreen says focusing on what you can do allows a great sense of accomplishment.
You may be wondering how they got their trail names. Koreen’s was given because of the way she rides her bike. David says she rides fast to stay ahead of him so that he is always chasing her like a greyhound would chase a rabbit. She says she rides, hikes and runs to stay ahead of MS.
You can read more about Rabbit and Greyhounds’ AT adventure here.