So, as I got to know Paul, I was sympathetic to his plight. He is after all one of three people I know living with MS. I was intrigued and impressed that Paul is a serious long distance rider. He is on a mission to ride a million miles to raise money and awareness for MS research.
Rock and his wife Stacey are on an amazing journey of a life. Part of what they do is travel with their two boys as they encourage others living with Hashimoto's disease. Sometimes I admire them for having had the courage to live the way they do and see and do everything they have.
The one thing that always struck me about Paul and the Robbins is that their causes are very personal. What they care about and do is the same thing that they live. That's so different from us in the Hogan house. Our concerns, the Tour of Honor and the Ride for Kids are things we care deeply about but they are hardly things tied up in our daily lives let alone our very existence.
But suddenly I find myself living in the midst of a life changing and very possibly a life ending illness. What to do with that? Initially I find myself thinking that it really doesn't involve anyone else. But I know God won't let me off that easily. Nothing is about me or at least JUST about me. No, I know that I need to do something more with it.
I don't know yet if there is any specific research group for Stiff Person Syndrome. I doubt it. I doubt that even if there was, that raising funds would be especially helpful. When it comes to SPS, a disease affecting only 1 in 1,000,000 people there just isn't that much to study. So what am I supposed to do? I think at least that I am supposed to share my life. As my body betrays me more and more, I need to live in a way that is worthy of a Christian minister. I need to lead my family by living for them and Christ. And I need to be an example and inspiration for anyone that wants to come along. This is part of my journey, let's call it a road trip. Do you want to join me?