Walter and His MS

Mike Timoney here.  I am creating this page for and talking about my (and our) friend Walter Hershman.

If you know Walter you may know him from his days as an actor at New York City Opera.  Or perhaps you attended one of the hundreds of CPR certification classes he has conducted over the years.  Or maybe you had him as a New York City Tour Guide when your school toured around NYC.  Or maybe you sang alongside him in the Pitt Mens Glee Club while in college.

However you know him, you probably know Walter as someone with a big heart and ready smile who has always been there for those who have needed help.  I more than anyone can attest to that last quality.

What you may not know, however, is that Walter has been diagnosed with MS, and a progressive strain of it at that.  He is now on medication.  The medication won't make his MS better; it is designed to stop it from getting any worse. 

Perhaps you saw him recently and remarked on his balance (or lack thereof).  He is now using a cane; that cane is his constant companion these days.  Other new additions to his life are his weekly therapy sessions: Physical, Speech, Visual and Acupuncture.  

In spite of that tiring therapy schedule he continues to teach the CPR classes.  The school tours, however, seem like they will be too challenging for him to do; the walking that we take for granted is something that for Walter requires concentration and work.

In short: Walter is adjusting to a new, more challenging life, one where sources of income have been taken away through no fault of his own.  This fund will hopefully help him get through this trying time until he is able to adapt to his new life. 

As someone who has been the recipient of an amazing outpouring of kindness I can speak to the worth of such an endeavor.  To help a friend in need is not in my opinion a handout, but a gesture of love and human kindness.  A heartfelt "Thank You" to all of you for considering helping our friend.

Mike Timoney (Feb. 17, 2013)