THE TRAIL

“The pains in my legs, sides, arms and head are great; but I know I must go on. Sometimes the bumps from travelling hurt my hands or arms, but I keep going. I strain to keep focused on the task at hand, but sometimes the fatigue enters my body and focus becomes more and more difficult. Thoughts race through my head about giving up. But I know that people are counting on me. They are expecting me to continue; to press on; to complete the journey. I’m not the only one making this trip and the others with me are also fighting to carry on; straining against their own pains, fatigue and exhaustion. I look forward to the finish line; excited about the prospect of normal days in which I no longer feel pain and can once again spend quality time with friends and loved ones. I keep going. I have to. There is no turning back. We’re almost there. I see the crowds cheering us as we arrive. They don’t really know how hard it’s been; it wasn’t their journey. But they are genuinely happy to see us safe and sound. They know we’ve pushed the limits and survived. We made it and the joy that comes from finishing is overwhelming!“

As you read this, knowing that it’s the “Miles for Mito” bike-ride blog, you might be thinking that I’m talking about the bike-ride from Indianapolis to Washington, D.C. Although each of these thoughts would surely apply to that event, I’m actually referring to the struggle that affected people face each day with Mitochondrial Disease. We cannot know how similar the struggles each affected person faces are, but we know that they struggle. We also know that we must help to stop their pain. We must find a cure. You may remember a time in your life of utter fatigue. You may know what’s it’s like to press on in the face of uncertainty and adversity. But these probably are not daily struggles. You can help us to make a difference toward that cure. Please, donate to help these individuals. Any amount will help. The $1 that finds the cure, may be the $1 that you give. http://www.umdf.org/milesformito

Mike