MS Challenge Blog

Often when people hear of the Challenge Walk MS Cape Cod, they'll respond, "50 miles, no way!" or "$1,500 fundraising minimum, impossible!" It is refreshing to come across women who feel exactly the opposite. You say, "jump" they say, "how high?" Well in this case, you say, "walk" and they say, "how far?"

Longtime friends and teammates Carley Murray and Marisa Austin have been participating in Challenge Walk MS over the course of years. Coming back to the Cape Cod rail trails faster, stronger, and always more determined.

Carley Murray and Marisa Austin

Carley's introduction was somewhat unexpected. As a grad student, she reached out to her study buddy hoping for some company hitting the books. It turned out, Katie was busy training for Challenge Walk MS. Being resourceful, Carley decided to study on the go, becoming Katie's training partner and soon her teammate at the Challenge Walk MS Cape Cod. Carley is connected to MS in a multitude of ways, as is often the case, and it has been fueling her participation for years and her motivation to fundraise.

Marisa could be considered a fresh face in the Challenge Walk MS mix. She'll be embarking on her second Challenge Walk MS experience alongside Carley. After a close friend of hers was diagnosed, she asked the question I feel we have all been tasked with, "What can I do?" Her answer was countless miles, a couple of September weekends, and as of today, fundraising over $7,000! Not only a Challenge Walk MS participant, Marisa has participated as a MuckFest MS volunteer and a Walk MS participant in West Hartford, CT.

When asked why they participate, the answer was simple, "Why not?" As skilled, healthy women they feel grateful for their ability to walk 50 miles and at times, challenging themselves to do it the fastest!

While training, Carley inadvertently became a half marathon runner, completing over ten half-marathons since beginning her Challenge Walk MS journey. Carley describes her Challenge Walk MS participation as taking her skill sets and putting them to good use. Not only is it paying it forward, but maximizing her time and potential for the betterment of her community, whether that is MS, the board for the local animal shelter, or advocacy for other organizations.

Similarly, Marisa has gone the extra mile. She has worked hard to balance an intensive career and diligent training regimens, pushing through the pain and her physical limits. On top of her hard work, she offers her community exciting fundraising experiences. Both Carley and Marisa host bar events and Yankee ticket raffles, consistently engaging their friends and family year after year.

They have described the Challenge Walk MS finish on Cape Cod, just as moving as it is surprising. To think they have walked alongside people who are in fact living with MS, but cease to waver mile after mile. It is inspiration they need to continue training, fundraising, and walking to make a difference in the lives of those living with MS. The motivation goes beyond their personal connections, but for all the friends they have made at Challenge Walk MS along the way.

I was around 19 years old when I found out my mother was diagnosed with MS. I remember not really knowing how to react, except to be immediately concerned and start asking questions. What is it? Is there a cure? How will this affect her? What can we do?

I mean, it obviously sucks that she has MS. No one wants to see someone they love be uncomfortable or debilitated in any way. But, I think what my mother does particularly well, is not make it an issue. We never talk about it with any sense of gravity. Of course we ask her how she is feeling but she is not one to make it into something bigger than it needs to be. There are, as we know with MS, good days and bad days. But she rarely will give the disease the attention it craves. She dictates the power the disease has on her, not vice versa.

And that's how she lives. When you meet her you wouldn't really know something was wrong, unless she was feeling numb or going through an episode and even then she would probably diffuse the situation by being brutally honest and making you laugh. And that's what I take away from her. No beating around the bush. Be honest, and usually there is humor to be found in the humanity of it all. I was just so overwhelmed when she finally retired and I found out how many sick days (80) she racked up as a teacher's aide helping emotionally disabled children. I just thought that was some ridiculous work ethic and selflessness and I was just so damn proud. I think it goes back to trying to be in control of the disease, and not letting it be in control of you. By focusing on helping others, it put the attention on them, not you. Therefore my mother could focus on service and not pity, which I believe helped aid in controlling the disease in some way.

It definitely has sunk in that walking 50 miles is pretty crazy. Who thought of this? I demand answers! I keep thinking about how I could complete the whole walk in about an hour if could just use a car. However, I realized that I live my life doing things that really get me out of my comfort zone and challenge me mentally, physically and spiritually. I think this will definitely be uncomfortable at times, but I know focusing on the cause and my mother will be my mental and spiritual fuel…and granola bars and dark chocolate will be my physical fuel. I know there are people with MS that do this walk and it is just overwhelmingly inspiring and flat out badass.

Don Fanelli is a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City and has a number of TV and movie credits to his name. This will be his first Challenge Walk MS. His team is "Donna Fanelli is a Badass".