I was surprised when I went to enter the dates for the Challenge Walk 2010 into my calendar. Rosh Hashanah, one of the two most important holidays in the Jewish religion, overlapped with the walk. How would I handle this? How could I decide between an important religious holiday and something as important to me as the Challenge Walk?

Fortunately, the National MS Society recognized the conflict and chose not to put its supporters in the position I briefly found myself in. I am incredibly thankful that the NMSS took steps to eliminate that very difficult choice by shortening the event to a two-day walk for this one year.

But to walk 31 miles instead of 50 miles? How disappointing, I thought — for a few hours.

Just as I wouldn't choose to have MS, having MS has taught me to approach life differently and to look for the opportunities hidden within the challenges.  As disappointing as it will be to walk two days and 31 miles, instead of three days and 50 miles, 2010 is presenting us with an incredible opportunity. I have heard people say that they could never walk 50 miles — it's just too long. Have you heard the same thing? Well, here is a chance for those who do not believe they can walk the 50 miles to walk a more manageable 31 miles. And when they walk those 31 miles, they'll find that participating in the Challenge Walk is such an amazing experience that they will walk the 50 mile route the following year.

This is your chance. Pull in all those people who balked at the 50-mile distance. Turn them into rookie Challenge Walkers, and watch them return year after year.

Susan lives in the greater Boston area and has been involved with the National MS Society since she was diagnosed with MS in 1995. She has participated in the MS Challenge walk for the past seven years and currently serves on the event's steering committee.