The Defeat ALS Walk - Because You Can happened today. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a disease of the neuro system that affects muscular movement such as walking, talking, swallowing, and breathing. Life expectancy, once diagnosed, is a few short years.
Hundreds of people turned out to walk today; many have lost friends and family to the disease. Some afflicted with the disease also walked, limped, or wheel-chaired it the three miles around Corporate Woods. At 6 am this morning, it was raining; by 9 am, it had stopped raining; by 10:30, when the walk began, the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.
What struck me most about the morning were the variety of people who participated. The old song with the lyrics "short ones, tall ones, fat ones, skinny ones" comes to mind. Ages ranged from still in strollers up through the 80's. There were multiple inflatable play structures for the children. There was a Harley Motorcycle Club. Many walkers brought their dogs - some with backpacks or costumes. There was a guy on stilts and a clown who painted faces. There were business executives and carpenters and secretaries and printers and photographers and students and homemakers - even a candle stick maker!
You could tell that some of the walkers were in above average physical condition while others struggled, with literal support from friends and family, to complete the 3 miles. Before, during and after the walk the general atmosphere was one of happiness. Not the exuberant happiness of a 10 year old unwrapping a Wii on Christmas morning; just a calm, gentle attitude of "happy and grateful to be here" permeated every individual in the crowd.
Laughter could be heard at times; and tears being shed as someone walked by the sign with their loved ones picture and name in memory. T-shirts worn over jackets and sweats displayed names of those who had lost the battle with ALS - a gentle reminder of why we were all there.
It was a good morning walk. A walk with friends and strangers alike. A walk with determined purpose. The kind of determination that is measured to last as long as it takes to reach the goal. The goal being to find a cure for ALS. We walked today because we care; we walked today because we can. The slogan "Because We Can" really touched me; just as the quiet intent of purpose of all of the people touched me.
As often happens, doing something for someone else has actually benefitted those doing the giving. I feel blessed to have been a small part of this large action. "Because We Can" is my new slogan for life in general. I love the intention of that phrase.
YouTube Video of Walk to Defeat ALS - Because We Can - Overland Park, KS 10.17.2009
Comments(6)