 2006
TeamWalk Connections
A special time (Connection) to meet others concerned with HSP or PLS, share stories, learn,
have fun and walk, roll or stroll together in a walkathon (TeamWalk) to bring us one step closer to our cure!
In 2006, we held TeamWalk Connections in ten states. Read the
summaries and see photos here:
Georgia -
Thomasville, September 9, organized by Jane Anne King
 Note from Jane Anne (2nd to left in front
row): Let me begin by saying - no we did
not make a million dollars - but what we did make will
help for a cure. We had 33 people at the luncheon and 27 that
walked. It is so good to meet new people and some had never
met anyone with our diseases. Money is still coming in but we
raised several thousand dollars towards Research Awards!
We really had a good time. The raffle, auction
and music were fantastic. The place we walked was beautiful we
had trees, paved walking trail, etc. My friend Glenda and her
husband and daughter who has MS went out to the park and set
everything up for us.
I do not like to be on TV but had to. Kate Dyer from Channel 6
interviewed me, Ruth and Ben. You always hear that TV puts 10
pounds on you. Well, I looked like the jolly white snow women!
We were on the 6:00 news and again on the 11:00 news. They
went out of their way to help because they had never heard of
this disease. Next year they are going to contribute to the
cure.
Our guest speakers were great. Candy Miller, PT, talked about
physical therapy and gave us papers on exercise plus many
other papers on our disease. Michael Hanna, PT, did a great
job on hippotherapy. Everyone wants to do this now! Ltd.
Rachel Denmark spoke on handicap parking and helped with a lot
of questions.
 We had a lot of help. The restaurant gave us a room that cost
$150.00 for FREE and the YMCA charges $50.00 for clean up and
we got that Free. CVS Pharmacy gave
us drinks Free. Blue Bell Ice Cream gave us 100 pops for Free.
Two of the restaurant gave us coupons for chicken nuggets and
ham sandwiches, hamburgers Free. Channel 6 Free, Channel 27
Free, Channel 10 Free, CNS Scroll Free. Newspaper Free, Radio
Free. I sent out thank you notes and called many of them and
they told me how much they appreciate that I called. Most
people do not thank them or tell them they did a good job.
Next year we are going to have a concert by Jerry Simmons, Tim
and James. Probably on a Friday night and have the TeamWalk on
a Saturday.
This is the most gratifying job that you could
do. I am 67 years old and if I can do this then the younger
ones and older ones can do it. Your aches, pains, depression
and being overwhelmed by husband, wife and children demands
will disappear and you only have time for this. You will
finally feel like a NORMAL human again.
We need to have each and everyone of you to
have a TeamWalk. We had 5 people help on this so get your
people together. We need this in EVERY state and then we need
it in every town. We cannot get a cure if we do not work for
it. So don't sit back and say well maybe next year I will do
this. I just know how this has made my group feel and we are
on a HIGH. So, please help us find our cures!
 
Participants enjoy the
Connection (click thumbnails)
Massachusetts - Lexington, MA;
August 27; organized by Kathi Geisler, SPF Co-Founder and
Ex-officio
Held at the Lexington Visitor's Center with the TeamWalk
around the Battle Green and the Lunch Connection at No
Ordinary Joe's restaurant
This year, there was a bad thunderstorm on the TeamWalk
Connection day so the event was rescheduled to August 27.
A small handful of TeamWalkers still went to Lexington on
August 20 and did their TeamWalk in between rainfalls.
Others could not attend on the new date.
As a result, thirteen lucky people (and one special companion)
got together on August 27 for the 2006 TeamWalk Connection.
It was a small in numbers group but a very big in spirit
group! The group enjoyed visiting together before the
TeamWalk on the Visitor's Center lawn and TeamWalking around
the Battle Green. Afterwards, several people enjoyed
lunch at a Lexington restaurant.
It was very special to us because many in our group were in
the National Conference and TeamWalk Committee to organize the
2003 and 2004 events here. It was great to remember those
fabulous events!
TeamWalkers get ready to roll TeamWalkers enjoy the Visitor's Center grounds The Campbell family does their TeamWalk Several participants enjoy the Lunch Connection
TeamWalkers get ready to roll
Maryland -
Annapolis, September 10, organized by Shannon Gregory
The TeamWalk Connection was held at Quiet Waters Park
Note from Shannon: On 10 September 2006, SPF held
it’s first-ever Annapolis, MD TeamWalk. The walk was a great success, drawing in
approximately 30 participants from throughout the East Coast, Buffalo, Maryland,
Virginia, West Virginia and South Carolina, and raised close to $6,500.00. The
event was kicked off with a registration and opening remarks by Annette
Lockwood.
The group then took a casual walk, some accompanied by their
furry friends, while Matt Gregory and Jacquie Thompson stayed back to cook up a
great meal. Julie Thompson spoke on the importance of physical activity and
demonstrated some physical therapy exercises while everyone ate. Our silent
auction went great as well.
I would like to personally thank each and every person who
attended the event and those who helped from a distance. It could not have
happened without you all. I would also like to thank all of those who gave so
generously to support our cause, through financial gifts, as well as items
donated. I would especially like to thank Quiet Waters Park for allowing us to
host our event at the park, and Harris Teeter Grocery Stores for donating gift
cards to purchase the food for the event. It was absolutely wonderful to meet
everyone and hear everyone share their stories. I hope to see all of you again
soon!
Maryland TeamWalk Connection group Julie demonstrates stretching exercises The group observes the stretching demonstration
Maryland TeamWalk Connection group
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