A dream to cycle-Stephanie Sunahara
Donation protected
I dream of a day when I can cycle again…..
My dreams were big, my will was strong, my heart was tender, my mind was boundless, and then MS came along. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. While this diagnosis changed my life, I did not allow it to come between my dreams and desires. I refused to let it win and convivially made it a part of my life, only to dream bigger with a stronger will. My name is Stephanie Sunahara and this is my story…
I was born 53 years ago in Los Angeles, California. I was raised in Gardena and lived in a modest home with my parents and two brothers. I was in Girl Scouts, enjoyed playing the piano, cycling, skiing, hiking, bowling and even sky diving. In my junior year of high school I had muscular pain in my back which eventually progressed throughout my body. Years later I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but by then I had learned to live with the pain – it became part of my life.
As a young child, my desire was to be a nurse. Upon graduating from Gardena high school I enrolled at Cal State Long Beach for my undergraduate studies. I later transferred to USC to pursue a nursing career. During my junior and senior year in the BSN Program, I experienced physical problems that could not be diagnosed at that time. I thought that the problems I experienced were due to the rigorous program at USC which required much studying and clinical work at the hospital. Unbeknownst to me the problems that I had were similar to that of MS. My body became weak and I was physically unable to complete my clinical rotations. Additionally, my vision became impaired where I could no longer read correctly due to visual tracking and occasional double vision.
I was diagnosed with MS four years ago. I currently volunteer at the National MS Society Pacific South Coast Chapter. I enjoy working with my friends there and believe in their vision and mission to find a cure for MS. The staff has been “family” which is very special because I have not had the support from my real family through all of these challenges.
Presently I live in Fullerton with my best friend Rico. He is 80 years old and just recently was released from a skilled nursing facility that he had been in for 2 years. He is receiving hospice services at my home and I assist him with his meds, meals, basic hygiene, and wound care. Like me, his mind is young but his body is not. Rico's condition is medically complex. He has heart, lung, and kidney disease all of which have taken a toll on his body.
I sometimes find it difficult and exhausting to care for him, but I am reminded to be thankful that I have another day to spend with him. We are taking one day at a time.
Having MS sucks big time! The disease is unpredictable. I can feel great one minute and lousy the next. I am mostly affected by heat. When it's hot outside or when I get overheated my muscles get spastic in the legs and I can't bend my knees or I can't control my trunk. If I lean forward I get stuck in a jackknife position and need help to lean backwards. Simple things, like if I reach for something while leaning to the side – for example, to get juice out of the refrigerator at the market - I may get stuck and need help to get upright. If I am sitting or in bed I often end up being a "pretzel" - all tied and unable to move. I've had to call neighbors to help "untangle" me or move my arms and/or legs. My gross and fine motor skills and coordination have been affected too. I tend to walk with a wide base of support and my ability coordinate movements of the arms and legs is not always fluid. My sitting and standing balance is not good. Dynamic balance is harder to maintain than static balance. Also, endurance and activity tolerance is impaired especially in hot weather.
A lot of the problems I have from MS are not noticeable to the average person and I do my best to disguise them. Many of the problems and pain I do have are in the late afternoon and night. When I am engaged in a conversation, I sometimes blurt out the wrong word. Even though I have had my share of issues from MS and other medical problems, I choose to see the bright side of things that I go through. I don't ever want to feel the emotional pain and sadness that I previously experienced.
Although I have been volunteering for some time, it was really at Bike MS 2014 when I met Rick Herschberg and the Deloitte Team that I was enlightened. They gave me a team jersey and t-shirt and made me feel part of the team – even though I haven’t been able to ride a bike for over 10 years! That day was the pivotal and changing point in my life! I saw riders with MS and others just riding to join others in finding a cure for MS. For me, their act of kindness and the team's support of me was something I will never forget! People who didn't even know me reached out to show kindness towards me. While this might seem insignificant to many, it was this gesture of love that turned my life around. Never did I think I would be able to ride again, but I got so inspired at the event to join the Deloitte team as a rider!
The fond memories I have of when I was young and able to go mountain and road bike riding were reignited and I so much wanted to ride a bike again, but thought it was impossible. I knew that this dream could be a reality when I saw a person with a three wheel bike riding in the Bike MS Event! I envisioned myself riding with the Deloitte team. All of my doctors (internal medicine, neurologist, Neurosurgeon, and cardiologist) said that I need to keep moving and do some kind of cardio exercise. I could not think of any activity that I could safely do by myself – until I saw that special bike. All of them agreed that it is a good idea for me to ride a three wheel bike and support me in my goal to get a bike and start riding!
During and after the event, I envisioned myself riding with the Deloitte team at the 2015 Bike MS event even though I did not have a bike. Before MS affected my body where my balance and coordination were affected, I was an avid cyclist. When I saw the trike bikes and people with MS riding for a cure, I saw myself riding with them too. Actually, I saw all of the riders as one big "family" working together to make a difference in the lives of others and it’s my dream to join them!
I am hoping to someday own a three wheel recumbent bike (I'm exited to know they make these and they can be "tuned" to accomidate my challenges!). Presently, I am unable to afford the cost of this expensive bike without assistance from generous people. Just thinking of riding again has opened up a door in my life that has been shut for more than ten years. Riding will enable me to stay physically fit and ride for charities to make a difference in the lives of others.
Rico, my best friend and roommate, is excited and eager to see me ride this year. I hope that he will be able to share this special moment with me. I know that even with his sickness, he will find a way to physically be present to cheer me on.
While I am on my journey to make MS, the ‘M’ost ‘S’pecial experience of my life, any contribution, no matter how small, would be GREATLY appreciated to help me pursue this dream and enable me to help others, like all those others have done for me. THANK YOU for visiting my site and even if you are not able to contribute, please help me by passing this link on to your friends and family who might be able to help.
Thank you,
Stephanie
My dreams were big, my will was strong, my heart was tender, my mind was boundless, and then MS came along. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. While this diagnosis changed my life, I did not allow it to come between my dreams and desires. I refused to let it win and convivially made it a part of my life, only to dream bigger with a stronger will. My name is Stephanie Sunahara and this is my story…
I was born 53 years ago in Los Angeles, California. I was raised in Gardena and lived in a modest home with my parents and two brothers. I was in Girl Scouts, enjoyed playing the piano, cycling, skiing, hiking, bowling and even sky diving. In my junior year of high school I had muscular pain in my back which eventually progressed throughout my body. Years later I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but by then I had learned to live with the pain – it became part of my life.
As a young child, my desire was to be a nurse. Upon graduating from Gardena high school I enrolled at Cal State Long Beach for my undergraduate studies. I later transferred to USC to pursue a nursing career. During my junior and senior year in the BSN Program, I experienced physical problems that could not be diagnosed at that time. I thought that the problems I experienced were due to the rigorous program at USC which required much studying and clinical work at the hospital. Unbeknownst to me the problems that I had were similar to that of MS. My body became weak and I was physically unable to complete my clinical rotations. Additionally, my vision became impaired where I could no longer read correctly due to visual tracking and occasional double vision.
I was diagnosed with MS four years ago. I currently volunteer at the National MS Society Pacific South Coast Chapter. I enjoy working with my friends there and believe in their vision and mission to find a cure for MS. The staff has been “family” which is very special because I have not had the support from my real family through all of these challenges.
Presently I live in Fullerton with my best friend Rico. He is 80 years old and just recently was released from a skilled nursing facility that he had been in for 2 years. He is receiving hospice services at my home and I assist him with his meds, meals, basic hygiene, and wound care. Like me, his mind is young but his body is not. Rico's condition is medically complex. He has heart, lung, and kidney disease all of which have taken a toll on his body.
I sometimes find it difficult and exhausting to care for him, but I am reminded to be thankful that I have another day to spend with him. We are taking one day at a time.
Having MS sucks big time! The disease is unpredictable. I can feel great one minute and lousy the next. I am mostly affected by heat. When it's hot outside or when I get overheated my muscles get spastic in the legs and I can't bend my knees or I can't control my trunk. If I lean forward I get stuck in a jackknife position and need help to lean backwards. Simple things, like if I reach for something while leaning to the side – for example, to get juice out of the refrigerator at the market - I may get stuck and need help to get upright. If I am sitting or in bed I often end up being a "pretzel" - all tied and unable to move. I've had to call neighbors to help "untangle" me or move my arms and/or legs. My gross and fine motor skills and coordination have been affected too. I tend to walk with a wide base of support and my ability coordinate movements of the arms and legs is not always fluid. My sitting and standing balance is not good. Dynamic balance is harder to maintain than static balance. Also, endurance and activity tolerance is impaired especially in hot weather.
A lot of the problems I have from MS are not noticeable to the average person and I do my best to disguise them. Many of the problems and pain I do have are in the late afternoon and night. When I am engaged in a conversation, I sometimes blurt out the wrong word. Even though I have had my share of issues from MS and other medical problems, I choose to see the bright side of things that I go through. I don't ever want to feel the emotional pain and sadness that I previously experienced.
Although I have been volunteering for some time, it was really at Bike MS 2014 when I met Rick Herschberg and the Deloitte Team that I was enlightened. They gave me a team jersey and t-shirt and made me feel part of the team – even though I haven’t been able to ride a bike for over 10 years! That day was the pivotal and changing point in my life! I saw riders with MS and others just riding to join others in finding a cure for MS. For me, their act of kindness and the team's support of me was something I will never forget! People who didn't even know me reached out to show kindness towards me. While this might seem insignificant to many, it was this gesture of love that turned my life around. Never did I think I would be able to ride again, but I got so inspired at the event to join the Deloitte team as a rider!
The fond memories I have of when I was young and able to go mountain and road bike riding were reignited and I so much wanted to ride a bike again, but thought it was impossible. I knew that this dream could be a reality when I saw a person with a three wheel bike riding in the Bike MS Event! I envisioned myself riding with the Deloitte team. All of my doctors (internal medicine, neurologist, Neurosurgeon, and cardiologist) said that I need to keep moving and do some kind of cardio exercise. I could not think of any activity that I could safely do by myself – until I saw that special bike. All of them agreed that it is a good idea for me to ride a three wheel bike and support me in my goal to get a bike and start riding!
During and after the event, I envisioned myself riding with the Deloitte team at the 2015 Bike MS event even though I did not have a bike. Before MS affected my body where my balance and coordination were affected, I was an avid cyclist. When I saw the trike bikes and people with MS riding for a cure, I saw myself riding with them too. Actually, I saw all of the riders as one big "family" working together to make a difference in the lives of others and it’s my dream to join them!
I am hoping to someday own a three wheel recumbent bike (I'm exited to know they make these and they can be "tuned" to accomidate my challenges!). Presently, I am unable to afford the cost of this expensive bike without assistance from generous people. Just thinking of riding again has opened up a door in my life that has been shut for more than ten years. Riding will enable me to stay physically fit and ride for charities to make a difference in the lives of others.
Rico, my best friend and roommate, is excited and eager to see me ride this year. I hope that he will be able to share this special moment with me. I know that even with his sickness, he will find a way to physically be present to cheer me on.
While I am on my journey to make MS, the ‘M’ost ‘S’pecial experience of my life, any contribution, no matter how small, would be GREATLY appreciated to help me pursue this dream and enable me to help others, like all those others have done for me. THANK YOU for visiting my site and even if you are not able to contribute, please help me by passing this link on to your friends and family who might be able to help.
Thank you,
Stephanie
Organizer
Rick Herschberg
Organizer
Fullerton, CA