MS Warriors & Exercise
MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the myelin sheath in the Central Nervous System (brain, spinal column and optic nerves). It is the one disease with the most symptoms because it compromises the body’s control center. Symptoms can include physical difficulties, fatigue, neuropathic pain, numbness, cognitive issues, depression, bladder and bowel problems, and loss of vision. RAMMS is showing the world we can keep pushing forward and remain active in sports despite a disease that impairs mobility.
Need more motivation to start exercising? Subscribe to MS Warrior Emily Reilly’s YouTube Channel on exercising with MS!
Learn more about MS from the National MS Society.
A few of us struggle with varying degrees of foot drop. However, we mitigate the problem by running and walking while wearing Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO). Fourteen teammates wear the carbon fiber SpryStep AFO by Thuasne and two wear the thermoplastic XTERN by Turbomed. Others have a very mild form of foot drop and practice the run-walk method to allow the body to recuperate during the walk breaks.
To help with balance problems, some teammates use canes or trekking poles. One warrior utilizes a cane and has assistance from a walking guide who literally holds her arm during her one-mile races. When choosing our events, we have conversations with the race directors to discuss potentially unstable terrain, like cross-country trails, and steep hills. We want to ensure the course is as safe as possible.
At the Richmond 8K, a teammate premiered her Alinker Walk Bike and another warrior used the sheer power of his arms to go the distance with his push rim wheelchair. Another question we do have for the race directors is the allowability of mobility aids.
Since most people experience a worsening of MS symptoms due to heat, we try to pick events in the Fall for better chance of cooler weather. That does mean people have to train in the summer, but with late Fall races there are opportunities do a couple of long training runs and walks in early Fall. We will explore adding Spring events if the team continues to grow.
Our private Facebook page is a wonderful forum to discuss MS issues as they relate to exercise. For instance, we discuss cooling devices and clothing to beat summer heat, tips on pushing past MS fatigue, and general emotional support and encouragement when depression rears its ugly head. We uplift each other and embody the true sense of the word “team.”
Note: our private Facebook page is not searchable by the public. If you wish to join our group, please email us at runamyelinmyshoes@gmail.com and tell us about your MS journey as a Warrior or Support Hero.