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Ann and Scott

Ann and Scott

3 years ago, Tim and I moved in with Ann and Scott to give them a hand with their pets and house when they traveled.  Scott’s business took him back to Virginia frequently and Ann was also on the road often for meetings.  While we lived there, we were able to rent out our apartments for some extra income.  It was a win/win for everybody.

What we didn’t expect was just how big a win it was.  After 3 years, we are no longer just friends with Ann and Scott.  We are family.

When Christmas came this year, we racked our brains for the perfect gift.   It was Tim who had the inspiration.  We’d ride our bikes to raise money for an important cause AND share the stories of these two terrific people who have given us so much.  Merry Christmas Ann and Scott.

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Ann has Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic progressive nervous disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the Central Nervous System. MS is an unpredictable disease. The progression and symptoms vary from person to person but in severe cases the disease may cause severe pain, depression, loss of mobility and vision. But don’t think this stopped Ann from accomplishing her goals. When Ann was diagnosed, she made a choice. She decided to lead her life with a positive attitude. She chose to help others. She decided to never be a victim.

In the past 3 years, Tim and I have learned life changing lessons from both Ann and Scott. We’ve learned that life’s challenges are incredible opportunities for growth. We’ve learned the power of generosity. And most importantly, everything looks brighter when you are laughing. Ann’s story is an inspiration to Tim, me and everybody who she touches. Thank you Ann for sharing this:

In 1993, Ann was a successful vice president at Virginia Tech with over 150 employees reporting to her. 60 hour work days and chronic stress were normal.

“My life was so work-focused that I never took the time to be attentive to health issues. So in 1993 when I felt numbness and tingling in my legs and feet—like I was walking on pins and needles—was the first time that I acknowledged a problem. I just thought my three-inch heels were to blame. I figured if I stopped wearing them to work, the problem would go away.”

After continuing symptoms and a battery of invasive tests, the diagnosis was conclusive. It wasn’t the 3 inch heels. Ann had relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. Her brother WD had been diagnosed in 1990 with MS as well. These were devastating blows for Ann and her family.

After this painful discovery, Ann spent months struggling to accept the impact of the disease on her future.

“How was I going to live with such a debilitating disease? How would I face others with this news? How could I do my job that was so consistently demanding?

A spiraling state of depression can quickly result when you are told that you have a disease which typically progresses or worsens over your lifetime, that you stand a good chance of losing your mobility over your lifetime, and that there is no cure for this monstrous disease. I was there ready to wallow in my misery.

Seeing how quickly this depressed state was putting me into a downward spiral made me realize that I had to change. It was at that point that I realized that I needed a plan to take charge of my life and do everything within my power to impact the course MS would have over me, to manage my life and my MS, and to take charge of this disease’s ability to negatively affect me, both physically and emotionally, to the greatest extent possible.”

Instead of allowing depression to take hold, Ann made a choice to live differently. She left her high stress job and moved to Wyoming adopting a healthy lifestyle with focus on nutrition and exercise.

“With these changes, I was able to reduce my fatigue and stress level. I began to enjoy activities and relearn the value of relationships. I learned not to rush through every day, and took the time to bond with my brother over our shared MS experiences. I had time to appreciate a cup of coffee with a neighbor, a chipmunk in the backyard, or the beauty of wildflowers along the side of the road. How had I missed all these things before?”

She looked at life through new eyes, focusing on a positive outlook. Together with her husband Scott, they tackled the challenges of MS with humor and strength. Ann’s influence grew beyond her own health when she took the role as a LifeLines Ambassador – helping others newly diagnosed with MS to cope with the shock and depression that can follow.

“The years since my diagnosis have sharpened my ability to seek the positive aspects of any life situation, to keep my mental state and outlook upbeat wherever possible, and to help others do the same in whatever small way I can.

I am not a person defined by my disease, and it is not a crutch. Rather, I am a person with MS attempting to manage and control my life in every way possible. I am not and will not become a victim of the disease. In spite of the physical and mental changes the disease has caused in my body, my journey has been one of reinventing my life and getting to know the person that I really am. This entails a journey of discovering and living my values, and of living my life at something less than the hectic pace today’s world has put upon many of us.

Life with MS has required a lot of changes and modifications but it hasn’t meant giving up my goals or things I enjoy. I’ve learned volumes about myself and about what’s important to me. I’ve explored many opportunities professionally and personally that I’d never had the courage, or the time, to do without MS. I’ve discovered a resolve and passion to live a richly, satisfying life, to continue to travel with my husband, and nurture relationships with family and friends.”

Since her diagnosis, Ann has served as President of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, is a member of the Virginia Tech Foundation Board of Directors, Pamplin College of Business Advisory Council, the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Council, and the Ut Prosim Society of Donors.

Currently she serves as Information Coordinator/Communications Chair for EACUBO, the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers.

Last year, Virginia Tech presented Ann with the prestigious 2010 Alumni Distinguished Service Award honoring the significance of her contributions to the institution.

Ann demonstrates every day what is possible with the right attitude.

“The pursuit of any journey is never an end-all, be-all. It is always an evolving and ever-changing course. To keep an open mind, to maintain a willingness to adjust your course, and to admit that some part of the path just was not right for you – these are all elements to successfully managing that journey and your life. It is important to not view these changes as failure. In reality, it is quite the opposite. The successful adjustments along the way imply that you are flexible enough, value life enough, want to live life to its fullest, and will make any changes necessary to make the best lemonade possible from all of life’s lemons”

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