Raising money for the Challenge Walk can be a difficult undertaking. Luckily, I have a great team that supports my efforts! There have been a few things that I have discovered after committing to this walk for a second time:

First, I spend a lot more time talking with my teammates due to planning and such, which to me is a bonus in all of this. Would we be talking this much if not for a common thread? Our lives, like everyone's, are busy ones, and sometimes we don't take the time to talk like we should.

Second, I've met people that I wouldn't have had a chance to meet otherwise. I met a few people with MS through my church after publicizing our fundraiser in the church bulletin. One woman had done the MS Challenge Walk for the first few years but couldn't now. She had some wonderful words of wisdom for me — as well as a donation!

Third, due to an overabundance of donated food items for our recent fundraiser, I connected with a local soup kitchen and gave them all our extra food. We had enough salad to feed 200 people left over! It was a great feeling, spreading this joy of food. We were not expecting particular donations, and when they came at the last minute we were not turning them away! The interesting part is the man who I contacted, randomly, knew about MS because his wife was an MS clinic nurse until she retired. He was just another twist of fate spun by this event which inspires me in the daily challenges of MS!

Who knows what other joys or connections I will make over the next few months or even during the walk itself? I look forward to it all!

Wendy, the captain of Team WWW (Walk With Wendy), was diagnosed with MS in 2006.  Although she cut down on her work hours during the past year, she still loves her job as a teacher.  Wendy lives in Attleboro, MA, with her supportive husband and 9-year-old son, who provides inspiration for her daily!