Back To School

Back to school means a ton of walking around for me, as a resource teacher I service kids all over my school. All summer I tried to walk as much as possible and I was a little worried that once I got back to work my activity level would dwindle…not the case. Not only am I constantly trucking around the school, which is carpeted I’m also in and out of rooms full of miniature furniture and miniature people, both severe tripping hazards!

My very thoughtful special ed team included a pedometer in my birthday gift because they know that I’m trying to keep it moving while at school. Over the first few days of school I’ve averaged about 1,400 steps which is just about ¾ of a mile according to a few different sites I have looked at. Pretty good considering it’s mostly all done while avoiding those pesky little chairs and trying not to snag the carpet and go flying through the fourth grade!

Little kids are very honest and like to ask me questions about why I “walk funny” or “what is that thing around your neck flashing?" (it is my electronic stimulus aid) or "are you a robot?” So I try to teach them a little bit about what’s going on with my MS. So far so good some kids get a horrified look on their face because they think it’s catchy or that my brain might fall out of my head but some of the kids have relatives with MS or other issues with their health.

Back to school also means I’m coming up on the anniversary of the virus that really kicked off this whole journey. While it was terrible that virus really changed my life for the better, since then I have improved my diet and my overall outlook on life with MS. I will continue down this path and continue my fight with the MonSter until I win.

Be a warrior today,

Donn

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