Journal+Entry+1

Journal Entry # 1

 This previous weekend, I volunteered at the Multiple Sclerosis Fall Challenge Walk. It was a deeply moving experience as I helped out a cause that is in desperate need of attention. As I arrived, I was introduced to a girl my age named Amanda, who volunteered for the third year in a row. Her and I among others, helped decorate the ballroom with the chain of hope, banners, and different stations. The chain of hope is a giant chain where walkers can add a link and write on it that they walked for and any other message they would like to have hung up on the chain. We hung the chain around the room with a station set up to let the walkers and volunteers to add a link whenever they please. The next thing we set up was the Hope banner, which was a bright orange rolled out paper banner that the walkers could sign after they finished their 20 mile walk. The last thing to do was to set up stations such as the VIP access center which was for walkers who raised over 3000 dollars. They received a sweatshirt, and my favorite part of the day, having their feet painted. Amanda and I worked the feet painters’ station. When the walkers were finished those who raised an excessive amount of money got to have their feet painted, then step onto a plack, and write a note on it for who they walked for and why. It was a deeply moving experience as you got to talk to one on one the walkers that went above and beyond to help out a cause that affects a family member or friend. We then had to clean up the room, and set it up for the candle lit vigil that would take place later in the night. The vigil was the most touching experience in my life, and has truly changed me for the better. As we all sat in a circle, anyone who wanted to stand up and tell their stories about their struggles with MS was welcome. One story that really touched me was a woman who had struggled with MS for 10 years now, and was only able to walk with a cane. About two weeks previous to the walk, she was able to walk without the cane for the first time in years. She decided then that she would take part in the walk, and made it 11 miles raising over 3000 dollars in only two weeks. She is a huge inspiration to me. I plan on doing the spring MS walk, and in June the MS Mud Run.