Danielle Harrsch Walking for a Cure for MS

Posted by Greg Hucklebridge

on Apr 10, 2014

Danielle Harrsch has spoken to our club a few times about her journey through life with MS. On Saturday, May 3rd, she will be walking for a cure at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and is looking for our support.

Here are some words from Danielle about her upcoming walk and her story about her life with MS. Also, you can make a donation on her website: http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/Danielle_Harrsch

The National MS Society wants to create a world without MS. They mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

Made Stronger

When I have a friend going through a hard time one of the things I’d say would be: “don’t sweat the small stuff,” or “what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” These two phrases are very popularly used, but we truly understand their meaning? I don’t think we do without going through something in our own lives that is more than the mundane trials of everyday life.

My understanding of those phrases started to change on April 3, 2009. My vision had been blurry for a week, but college orientation awaited me. Upon arriving, I was asked to sign in, but when I stroked the pen on the paper my name didn’t look the same. When asked who my advisor is, my answer was nothing but a slurred name. Tears swelled in my eyes, and all I could hear was my pounding heart.

I was admitted into the hospital, where I’d remain for the following three days. A parade of doctors spewed out diagnosis after diagnosis. Every time the letters MS were said I shuttered. After three days, I was released with the diagnosis of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. Months of physical, and occupational therapy I gained everything back. Things were turning around; cue losing my vision again, and here is where those two letters reentered my life. It took months, but I was diagnosed with MS.

Barreling on, I continued with my studies. Pushing even harder, at the start of 2010 I took five classes, and worked two jobs. On Valentine’s Day, I awoke, and I couldn’t walk. Off to the hospital for the normal three days of meds, and released. The only difference this time is, I got worse when I came home. Back to the hospital, but this time was longer. The certainty of recovery is unknown, but the doctors didn’t think I’d be able to walk again. All my hopes, and dreams stayed on the surface as I plummeted into the deepest part of hell.

With the support of my friends, and family I started the long arduous journey up the mountain. I learned so much more about myself in having MS for a year, than I had in my preceding 24 years.

I must live everyday to the fullest because tomorrow I could wake up, and everything could be gone. As hard as it has been to deal with the ordeals of an ever-changing debilitating disease, it has also been a blessing. I don’t know if I’d ever learn how to actually live, and cherish everything I have. So MS, for me, no longer just stands for Multiple Sclerosis, but stands for Made Stronger for that is what it has done for me; it made me stronger!

Please support me in my fight against MS by making a donation or joining my team! A big thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey.