Amanda Donnell

Leading with resilience | One step, one story, one season at a time

Amanda in bamboo forest at Sky Top North Carolina with MS and Pride bracelets

recent posts

  • đź“Ł Game Day Stories | Superstar Surprise on the Walk of Fame: A Game Day Story with a Hollywood Twist

    đź“Ł Game Day Stories | Superstar Surprise on the Walk of Fame: A Game Day Story with a Hollywood Twist

    A Road Trip That Took an Unexpected Turn

    After a busy month, I am finally back with a new Game Day Story. I spent two weeks on the West Coast, and the trip gave me more content than I expected. I planned to write about my visits to the Dodgers, Angels and Padres games. These stops pushed me closer to my bucket list of visiting every MLB stadium. I assumed my next posts would focus on baseball. And yes, those stories are coming. But life has a funny way of throwing you a curveball when you’re expecting a fastball.

    I never imagined I’d be writing a game day post about cheerleading (or should I say a with a cheerleading connection). Yet here we are.

    It reminded me of my Peyton Manning story. The one where I went to Knoxville knowing basically nothing except “Lady Vols” and “Peyton Manning,” and somehow walked away with a whole new appreciation for a place I barely understood. This trip had that same energy.

    Our family road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway from Seattle to San Diego included a couple days in Los Angeles, and that’s where things took a turn, I absolutely didn’t see coming. While we drove, we posed the question which celebrity we would most want to meet in LA. The kids chose Steph Curry and Olivia Rodrigo. I tried to think logically about who actually lived in LA. Since I had no clue, I picked LeBron James. My fiancée answered instantly with Will Ferrell. She said it with the confidence of someone ordering their favorite dessert. She also noted that he was currently filming in North Carolina, so meeting him was unlikely.

    And yes, you read that correctly. Fiancée, not partner. I proposed in the Redwoods, and she said YES! So, this trip already had a built‑in highlight.

    A Hollywood Morning That Turned into a Star-Studded Walk

    Our first LA day took us to a Dodgers game on Father’s Day. On Monday, we visited the Hollywood Sign, the Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame. We parked under the Dolby Theatre around 10:30. As we walked up to the street, we took pictures of the Dolby Theatre and the Jimmy Kimmel Live buildings. Soon we stepped onto the star walk.

    Within one block, we found Sandra Bullock’s star. It was the only star I truly wanted to see. We had not looked up coordinates, so finding it by chance was a serendipitous. I doubted we would be that lucky again, so I looked up Will Ferrell’s star. It turned out we were about to walk past it anyway.

    A tent was set up on the sidewalk in front of the Hollywood Wax Museum. A small crowd had gathered. We learned that Molly Shannon’s star ceremony was happening in 30 minutes. So of course we stayed. When else do you accidentally walk into a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony?

    While we waited, I noticed people holding posters of Anchorman and other Will Ferrell movies. None of these posters had anything to do with Molly Shannon. I turned to my fiancée and said that Will Ferrell might appear. Our son had apparently said the same thing moments earlier.

    Then he arrived. Will Ferrell. In the flesh. Feet away from my fiancée. So much for the proposal being her favorite moment of the trip! However, I’ve never been so happy to be in the right place at the right time. It felt like the universe handed her a gift with a bow on top.

    A Superstar Moment Worth Its Own Game Day Story

    Connie Britton and Will Ferrell gave opening remarks for Molly Shannon. Will delivered humor while keeping his message warm and sincere. Molly’s star became the 2,850th star as of June 22, 2026. Her star was placed next to Will’s, which made the moment even better.

    Since Will Ferrell is known for the Spartan cheerleader sketch and Molly Shannon is known for Mary Katherine Gallagher, the cheerleading theme suddenly became part of my Game Day series. I never expected cheerleading to enter the lineup.

    The trip, the day, the ceremony and the surprise can be summed up in one word: Superstar.

    Will Ferrell’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star displayed on the sidewalk with a film camera emblem in the center.
    Will Ferrell’s star shining on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    Molly Shannon’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star displayed beside Patrick Henry’s star with a rolled red carpet nearby.
    Molly Shannon’s newly unveiled star during the Walk of Fame ceremony.
    A large decorative Hollywood Walk of Fame star stands in front of a backdrop with logos as attendees sit in white chairs during the ceremony.
    The stage setup for the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony honoring Molly Shannon.

    Game Day Stories Series

  • 🧡 My MS Journey | Discovering the MeSsy Podcast and the Stories That Shape Us

    🧡 My MS Journey | Discovering the MeSsy Podcast and the Stories That Shape Us

    Why I Finally Pressed Play on MeSsy

    In my May 25 post, I talked about Selma Blair’s memoir Mean Baby. This year, both Christina Applegate and Jamie Lynn Sigler released their memoirs. I read them in back‑to‑back months and will eventually write about both. However, today I want to talk about their MeSsy podcast, which started in 2023 but only entered my world this year.

    I remembered Christina’s diagnosis when I received mine in 2023. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not know of Jamie Lynn Sigler until I saw her in a commercial for an MS medication. Considering the popularity of The Sopranos and her marriage to the son of former MLB player Lenny Dykstra, I missed several opportunities to know her before MS entered the picture.

    Oddly, that made reading her memoir refreshing. I learned everything about her for the first time, which kept me interested on every page.

    How I Became a Podcast Listener Against All Odds

    I heard of the MeSsy podcast before reading their books, but I never listened to podcasts in previous years. I was missing out on some entertaining listening. Thankfully my partner got me hooked on the Handsome podcast. After catching up on all its episodes, my partner asked if I had heard of anything good.

    Suggesting the MeSsy podcast was a stretch. My partner usually prefers crime podcasts. Yet this one has been packed with great information and plenty of laughs. With over 100 hour‑long episodes, there is a lot of content to unpack if you are not already listening.

    This pairing delivers unfiltered conversations about MS, life, and everything in between. Jamie and Christina bring honesty, humor, and vulnerability to every episode.

    Why Their Dynamic Works So Well

    Both hosts bring something unique to the show. Jamie offers empathy and helps Christina navigate toward a positive mindset. Jamie has lived with MS for several years, while Christina’s diagnosis is more recent. Christina brings humor to every episode. Her honesty is raw, and her experience is hard to hear at times, but it is also real.

    I appreciate the balance. Jamie brings grounded optimism. Christina brings a PhD in keeping it real. Together, they create a space that is honest without being hopeless and funny without being dismissive.

    My mindset since my diagnosis mirrors Jamie’s experience more closely. I relate to her approach. Christina’s perspective is completely understandable, and her journey is her own. It has taken me over two years to grasp how unique each MS diagnosis is.

    The Episode That Hit Home: Jennifer Esposito

    I just finished episode thirteen with Jennifer Esposito. She discusses her diagnosis of celiac disease and how fixing her gut health changed everything for her. While cleaning up eating habits is hard, I can relate to her story.

    From my own experience, which is not medical advice, being strict with my diet for the first six months after my diagnosis changed my trajectory. I credit that period for where I am today. I wrote about this in a prior post about the book Beat Autoimmune.

    Understanding how sugar, dairy, carbs, and gluten affect our bodies can be an alternate route for some people managing autoimmune diseases. Most MS medications focus on preventing progression. Diet changes can be an additional layer that helps support healing from earlier damage.

    This approach may not work for everyone. However, in the last two years, I have heard many stories crediting diet changes for improvements in brain fog, fatigue, and overall well‑being. And I know this to be true from my own experience.

    Where My Journey Meets Theirs

    I am only on episode thirteen, but I am excited to continue. I want to hear more about their journeys, their guests, and the places where our stories overlap. MS is unpredictable, but community makes it less isolating. Listening to others share their truth helps me understand my own.

    The journey continues, one episode at a time.

    My MS Journey Series

  • đź‘ź The 10K Chronicles | May’s Messy Middle and June’s Reset

    👟 The 10K Chronicles | May’s Messy Middle and June’s Reset

    When Consistency Meets a Chaotic Month

    March and April brought locked‑in focus. I walked at least 10,000 steps every day without missing a beat. Then May arrived with a wake‑up call. I am not a fan of excuses, so this is simply a factual snapshot of the month.

    The first eleven days of May started strong. I hit my daily steps and stayed on track. However, those following My MS Journey series know that my infusion on May 12 did not go as planned. I expected a normal day with a two‑hour drive from Charlotte to Mebane after the infusion. I planned to walk later that evening.

    Instead, a family emergency in Ohio changed everything. I drove home, packed a suitcase, and my partner drove us on nine‑hour drive that had our arrival the early hours on the next morning. Since I spent the rest of the night in the car, my step count didn’t recover that day.

    The Habit Stacking Gap I Could Not Ignore

    This brought something important to the surface. My days run smoothly when everything goes according to plan. Habit stacking works beautifully until life throws a curveball. My life is predictable most days, but I have known for a while that I should shift more steps to the morning.

    This would require waking up earlier. I am a morning person, usually up between 7 and 8. However, the idea of getting up at 6 or 6:30 to walk never made the priority list. Intrusive thoughts won that battle. Sleeping in won too.

    This is why I dislike excuses. It would be easy to say May 12 was unavoidable. But my infusion did not start until 9 a.m. I had time to walk that morning. I simply did not.

    The Five‑Day Slide and the Lazy Truth

    May 12 was not an isolated incident. I missed my step goal for five straight days! Another family emergency happened the final weekend of May accounting for another five days missed. And the week before that, I had no excuse at all.

    May brought rain and cooler temperatures, but that was not the real issue. I hit a four‑day stretch where I did not want to walk. Plain and simple, I was lazy. While most days I still averaged around 7,000 steps, one day I had less than 3,000. I was a little defeated from the earlier misses. That combination created a perfect storm in my mind. However, no perfect storm could take away from this sunny Lewisburg, West Virgina farmland photo as my feature image. I captured it while stretching my legs to get some steps in on a day where I knew I wouldn’t meet my goal. It shows the unexpected beauty and small rewards that come from staying committed to this habit even when the daily goal becomes out of reach.

    This is the part that matters most with real consistency. We all have days where legitimate reasons arise. We also have days where we simply do not want to do the thing. What matters is the mindset to hold ourselves accountable and not let a rough week derail the bigger goal.

    June Arrives with a Reset and Renewed Focus

    No one is perfect all the time. It is okay to have days where we fail. What matters most is what we do next.

    Today is June 2. I have over 13,000 steps and it is only midday. I am locked back in and focused on getting most of my steps earlier in the day. This small shift will help me build better consistency in the weeks ahead.

    The journey continues, one early morning at a time.

    A digital activity calendar showing daily step progress for May with 17 out of 31 days meeting the target.
    May’s step calendar showing the highs, lows, and everything in between.

    The 10K Chronicles Series

  • 🪶 Feathered Friends | Alexandria Lifers, a Mimic, and Hospital Parking Lot Safari

    🪶 Feathered Friends | Alexandria Lifers, a Mimic, and Hospital Parking Lot Safari

    A Weekend Trip That Turned Into a Birding Detour

    My last Feathered Friends adventure took me through Ohio. My latest lifers came from Alexandria, Virginia. This was another unplanned weekend trip for a family emergency, this time for my partner’s relative. The hospital had a strict two‑visitor limit on Sunday, so instead of scrolling on my phone, I decided to habit stack. I wandered the hospital grounds to get steps and see if any new birds would appear.

    I turned on Merlin Sound ID and thought I hit the jackpot. Familiar backyard birds from North Carolina were singing loudly. Robins and cardinals were everywhere. Then the first of two new lifers appeared on the screen. The song sparrow was not only nearby but easy to spot in the parking lot and trees. I snapped photos and confirmed quickly.

    The Mystery Bird That Was Not What It Claimed

    Then things got interesting. Merlin kept alerting me to a white‑throated sparrow in the bushes. That would have been rare for the area that day. As I moved closer, another rare bird appeared on the list. The Eastern Wood‑pewee. My excitement skyrocketed! I thought I was about to collect several new lifers in one hospital parking lot.

    But then the chirps I was following flew out of the bush and landed on a light pole. I thought it was a common grackle. Merlin Sound ID now said brown‑headed cowbird. My eyes said European Starling. I had seen one the day before in Lewisburg, Virginia, and the yellow bill gave it away.

    Sure enough, after I snapped a photo, the visual ID confirmed the European Starling. Since the rare birds only appeared when the starling opened its beak, I did a quick search. I learned that European Starlings can mimic other species because they have a dual‑chambered syrinx. They can produce two sounds at once. This little troublemaker had been throwing its voice like a feathered ventriloquist. I uttered “that little shit” under my breath.

    This is why you cannot rely on Sound ID alone. But now I must watch for European Starlings on future adventures. These little tricksters are talented, chaotic, and dramatic.

    Better Photos, Familiar Birds, and a Growing Wish List

    During this trip, I saw many song sparrows. I also captured better photos of the American goldfinch and the house finch. My North Carolina photos were not great due to heavy zoom. I need a better camera. If I want to consider The Big Year in 2027, I must upgrade my gear. Potato quality images are not going to do it!

    After watching the documentary Listers, which I mentioned in my last post, I followed it with The Big Year starring Steve Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson. I am glad I did not watch it fifteen years ago. I would not have appreciated it the way I do now.

    A Trip That Was Not About Birds, Yet Somehow Was

    This weekend was not planned for birding. Yet the hospital grounds gave me four species to document, two new lifers, and one starling with a talent for deception. Even on unplanned weekends, nature finds a way to surprise me. I never know what I will discover next. But I do know that I will keep wandering, watching, and documenting every unexpected moment.

    An American Goldfinch perched in a tree with bright yellow plumage.
    A brighter and clearer American Goldfinch photo than my earlier attempts.
    A song sparrow perched on a branch near the hospital grounds.
    One of many song sparrows singing loudly during my Alexandria walk.
    A House Finch perched on a branch with its red plumage visible.
    A bright House Finch showing off its color and reminding me that my camera deserves an upgrade.

    Feathered Friends Series

  • âš˝ Game Day Stories | The Royals Claim the Championship in a 4–0 Showdown

    ⚽ Game Day Stories | The Royals Claim the Championship in a 4–0 Showdown

    A Playoff Week I Never Expected to Love

    Similar to birding, soccer was not on my 2026 bingo card. Fantasy Football, yes. Birding, no. Soccer, absolutely not. Yet here we are…again! Tuesday marked the start of the playoffs, and the Royals punched their ticket to the championship after a strong win. Rumblings of whether there should be a mercy rule in soccer similar to softball quietly made its way through the parent’s sideline. Suddenly, I was invested in a sport where I still cannot explain offsides. I know when to cheer, though, especially when the ball hits the back of the opponent’s net.

    Soccer took over our Tuesdays and Thursdays this season. Tuesdays meant practice. Thursdays meant game day. The team started with heart and determination and ended with a 5–1 record. Their only loss came from the Grey team in a tight 1–0 match. That loss stayed with them, and tonight they had a chance to rewrite the story.

    A First Half Built on Defense and Determination

    The championship started with both teams battling hard at midfield. The Royals pushed forward and created early chances. After several close shots, they finally scored halfway through the first half. That goal opened the field and loosened the tension. Soon after, they added a second goal and entered halftime up 2–0.

    The energy shifted. The Royals played with confidence. And the parents on the sidelines tried to act calm. None of us succeeded. Maybe I shouldn’t speak for everyone. I didn’t succeed!

    The Second Half and the Goalie Who Also Does Butterfly Moves

    At halftime, our daughter switched from striker to goalie. This is always an adventure. She puts on her goalie gear and sometimes enters butterfly mode. Yes, butterfly mode. She breaks into dance moves that may or may not be part of her defensive strategy. Tonight, the moves stayed minimal. She was laser focused and stopped two shots with confidence.

    Meanwhile, the Royals added two more goals. The score was 4–0, and the shutout held until the final whistle. The team erupted. Parents cheered. I still don’t understand soccer strategy. But the coach and kids do, which is all that matters.

    Trophies, Medals, and a Season Worth Celebrating

    After the final huddle and a victory speech from the coach, the team received their first-place trophies and medals. The win was the cherry on top of a fantastic season. The real highlights were the hard work, memories, and friendships built along the way.

    Soccer mom life might be here to stay. I may never understand offsides, but I understand joy, teamwork, and the magic of watching kids discover their confidence.

    Three people stand in front of a soccer goal at night, with a young player hanging from the goal and wearing medals.
    A championship win calls for a family photo and a little goal‑hanging celebration.
    A young soccer player in an salmon jersey holds a trophy and wears a medal while standing in front of a goal.
    Championship moment: Our striker‑turned‑goalie showing off the hardware after a 4–0 victory.

    Game Day Stories Series

  • 🧡 My MS Journey | The Night I Went Searching for Answers at an MS Patient Event

    🧡 My MS Journey | The Night I Went Searching for Answers at an MS Patient Event

    When Memory Was My Superpower

    Before my MS diagnosis, I trusted my memory more than my GPS. I could recall conversations, dates, and random facts without effort. Now, two and a half years later, I wish I had carried a notebook everywhere the way I do now. I put off writing about the MS patient event I attended three months after my diagnosis. I hoped I would remember more details or find notes I never actually wrote. That version of me did not take notes. That version of me also had no idea how much uncertainty would fill the minutes, hours, and days between appointments.

    When the hospital invited me to an MS patient event with dinner, drinks, and a chance to meet other patients and the Atrium care team, I wrestled with whether to go. Going to events where I don’t know people is a slight stressor in addition to needing to take off work early. However, I saw it as free knowledge and maybe a chance to calm my spiraling thoughts. My best friend asked to go with me and to meet me there after work. His offer to come and presence there meant more than he knows. My friends and family have always been supportive, but asking for help was not something I did easily. I am better now, but I still worry about being an inconvenience.

    Walking In and Wondering If I Belonged

    I arrived early and instantly questioned my decision. I am an extrovert, but walking up to strangers is still intimidating. Most early arrivals used mobility aids. We caught my symptoms early and I had completed my first infusion in December. I wasn’t walking like an inflatable tube man like I was a few short months prior. Nothing about me signaled MS. I worried I looked like an able‑bodied person who wandered into the wrong event. I questioned if I belonged there at all.

    Thankfully, my best friend arrived and immediately started talking to a woman younger than us. She shared her MS story, including vision loss as a major symptom. Vision loss! At that point, I barely understood my own symptoms. I had no idea that MS presented differently in every person. Her story sent my mind into a quiet panic. I wondered if I would lose my vision. I wondered why she had and I had not. And I wondered if I needed to reorganize every question I planned to ask my neurologist.

    Stories That Shifted My Understanding

    After dinner, we moved into an auditorium to hear stories from other Atrium patients. Each story was different. Each story added new questions to my growing list. One woman shared that she had been hospitalized for over two months from a common cold because her MS treatment weakened her immune system. I was not a germophobe before that moment. After hearing it, I wanted to avoid anyone who might sneeze in my direction.

    The stories were powerful. They were also overwhelming. I learned quickly that MS is not a single path. It is a thousand different paths that happen to share a name. That night started to teach me that my journey would never match someone else’s. It also had me thinking that I may need to stop searching for a universal answer.

    The Bracelet That Stayed with Me

    On every table, the hospital placed informational resources and bright orange silicone bracelets. They read “Multiple Sclerosis YOU WILL NOT FIGHT ALONE.” Most of the lettering has rubbed off now, but I still wear mine every day. It clashes with nearly every outfit, but it reminds me of that night. MS is unpredictable, but connection matters and community helps steady the ground.

    Final Thoughts

    That event taught me more than I expected. It taught me that MS stories matter, even when they scare us. It taught me that every journey is unique and that I cannot compare my symptoms or timeline to anyone else’s. Most importantly, it taught me that I need to advocate for myself. My MS story is mine, even when it does not match someone else’s. I walked into that event searching for answers. I walked out understanding that the only story I can truly speak for is my own.

    My MS Journey Series

  • 🧡 My MS Journey | Mean Baby by Selma Blair

    🧡 My MS Journey | Mean Baby by Selma Blair

    Finding Stories Beyond the Research

    My last post explored my mono saga from my twenties and how it later connected to my MS diagnosis. After months of reading medical articles, research summaries, and patient forums, I wanted something different. I wanted a story. I wanted a voice that understood MS without turning it into a textbook.

    At the start of 2024, I began reading leadership books. I enjoyed them, but I also was interested in reading stories from anyone who had MS and was willing to talk about it. When I discovered that Selma Blair had written a memoir, Mean Baby, I knew I needed to read it. I remembered her from Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde. What I didn’t know at the time was she had been diagnosed with MS in 2018 at age 46. At the time of my diagnosis, Christina Applegate was the main celebrity dominating the headlines with her MS diagnosis. Doctors believe Blair had lived with the disease since childhood. I had no idea she published her book in 2022. I read it two years later, almost one year into my own diagnosis.

    A Life Story with MS Woven Through Every Chapter

    Mean Baby is not an MS book. It is a Selma Blair book. That distinction matters. Her story covers childhood chaos, Hollywood pressure, addiction, motherhood, and the long shadow of symptoms that never made sense until they finally did. And her MS journey appears throughout the memoir like an always present invisible string.

    Her symptoms read like a neurologist’s bingo card. Fatigue that knocked her down. Pain that made simple tasks difficult. Vision issues. Balance problems. Strange neurological episodes that she tried to explain away with humor and grit. Reading her early symptoms is like watching a mystery movie where the clues only make sense after the reveal. You want to shout, “Selma, that is not normal,” but she already knows. She lived it.

    Diagnosis and the Strange Relief of Answers

    Her diagnosis arrives with clarity. She does not dramatize it. She simply tells the truth. The truth is enough. For many people with MS, that moment lands with a mix of relief and grief. Answers bring comfort, but they also bring reality. She captures that balance with honesty that hits hard.

    Her diagnosis also reframes her entire life. Suddenly the unexplained moments, the strange symptoms, and the years of confusion make sense. Anyone with MS understands that shift. It is the moment when the puzzle pieces finally lock into place.

    Living with MS in a Way Only Selma Blair Can

    Blair manages MS with a mix of practicality, chaos, humor, and vulnerability. She talks about mobility aids, fatigue, parenting, and the unpredictable nature of her body. While never trying to be inspirational or tragic. She simply exists as a full human being who happens to have MS.

    Her cane becomes a fashion statement. Her honesty becomes a guidepost. And her vulnerability becomes a strength. She shows how chronic illness reshapes a life without erasing it.

    Why Her Story Matters

    Mean Baby works because Blair refuses to flatten herself into a single narrative. She is not only an actress and mother with MS. Not only a woman with trauma. She is all of these things at once. Her voice is sharp, self-aware, and unfiltered.

    Her MS journey is not the center of the book, but it is always present. It mirrors the way MS exists in real life. It is always there, even when it is not the headline.

    Final Thoughts

    If you want a memoir that is honest, messy, funny, and painfully recognizable for anyone living with MS, Mean Baby delivers. Selma Blair does not ask for sympathy. She asks for understanding, and she offers that same understanding back to the reader.

    Over the last three years, I’ve searched for connection through other people’s MS stories. I wanted to see myself in someone else’s experience. I wanted answers that made sense of my own symptoms and my own diagnosis. Those stories mattered, and they still matter, because every MS voice adds something important to the conversation. However, I also learned something that took time to accept. With MS, every journey is unique. No two people experience this disease the same way, and no single story can explain all of it.

    Because of that, I’ve need to shift my focus. Instead of searching for a universal answer, I need to continue advocating for my truth. My story is valid even when it does not match someone else’s. My symptoms, my timeline, my questions, and my progress belong to me. Reading Selma’s memoir reminded me that MS is part of my story, but it is not the whole story. It never was.

    My MS Journey Series

  • đź‘ź The 10K Chronicles | A Family Powered Girls on the Run 5K in Durham

    đź‘ź The 10K Chronicles | A Family Powered Girls on the Run 5K in Durham

    From Hidden Trolls to a Sea of Sneakers

    Our last adventure took us to Dix Park where we wandered through wooded trails searching for hidden trolls. That day date brought fresh air, laughter, and a surprising number of tree‑based giants. Last weekend brought a very different kind of adventure. We headed to Durham for the Girls on the Run Bee Amazing 5K, which promised excitement, community, and a lot of neon hair paint.

    Girls on the Run supports individuals of all abilities as they build confidence and connection. Volunteer coaches guide lessons that blend movement with life skills. The season ends with a Community Impact Project and a 5K that celebrates teamwork and accomplishment. Our daughter joined run club earlier this Spring, which would culminate in the 5K. She practiced on Mondays and Wednesdays, which alternated with her Tuesday practices and Thursday soccer games. Her schedule could rival a small college athlete.

    A Family Road Trip for One Big Run

    The big day required a running buddy. Her aunt drove from West Virginia to run beside her. Her grandmother also made the trip to cheer her on. One of her friends, classmates, and soccer teammates was also participating in the event with her mom. The entire morning was a reunion of supportive women and one supportive big brother ready to conquer three miles.

    We had participated in the Triad’s Walk MS last month. However, this event operated on a much larger scale. Thousands of participants filled the area with bright shirts and excited chatter. Vendors lined the space with activities, including hair painting. Pink and green seemed to be the most popular choices. The energy created a joyful atmosphere that encouraged everyone to join the fun.

    The Port‑A‑Pot Plot Twist

    The only thing that could slow down this aunt and niece duo was the port‑a‑pot line. You read that correctly. Ten minutes before the race, our daughter announced that she needed the bathroom. The line moved slower than a turtle on vacation. She made it out of the stall just as the horn sounded. Thankfully, the crowd was so large that they slipped into the starting line without becoming the final pair to begin.

    The temperature climbed quickly, but they pushed through the heat. Their goal was to finish in under 40 minutes. They crossed the finish line with time to spare. Their smiles showed pride, accomplishment, and maybe a little relief that the port‑a‑pot adventure did not derail the entire morning.

    A Day Worth Every Step

    The event created a powerful moment for our daughter. She trained for a couple months and completed a challenge that required dedication and grit. She also did it surrounded by family, friends, and a community that cheered for every participant. The day reminded me that these small adventures create lasting memories. They also keep The 10K Chronicles moving forward one joyful mile at a time. The early morning adventures helped me get my 10,000 steps for the day as well.

    A child in a green Girls on the Run shirt running beside her aunt during the Bee Amazing 5K.
    Nearing the finish line of the Girls on the Run 5K to complete the race in under 40 minutes.
    A woman, her mother, and her son sitting and standing together outdoors during a community event.
    Anxiously awaiting our racers together near the finish line.

    The 10K Chronicles Series

  • 🪶 Feathered Friends | A Baby Robin, Roadside Discoveries, and Chickadee Shenanigans

    🪶 Feathered Friends | A Baby Robin, Roadside Discoveries, and Chickadee Shenanigans

    Catching Up After Saxapahaw

    Our last adventure took us through the Saxapahaw nature trails where new lifers surprised us at every turn. We also watched a Carolina Wren family set up their tiny real estate empire in our backyard. Since then, the Merlin App has continued to tempt me with possible lifers through Sound ID. However, I still refuse to count anything unless I can see it and capture a photo. My list continues to grow at a snails pace.

    A former colleague recently recommended the documentary Listers. I watched it and discovered the world of competitive birding. Never in my life did I expect to write that sentence. Yet here we are. The film introduced me to the Big Year challenge. The goal is to identify as many bird species as possible from January 1 through December 31. Ezekiel Dobson set the lower 48 record in 2024 with 759 species. The challenge has four rules.

    • The bird must be in the lower 48 or within 200 miles offshore.
    • The bird must be on the approved ABA checklist.
    • The bird must be alive, wild, or unrestricted.
    • The bird must be seen, heard, or documented.

    Everything runs on the honor system. However, some birders seem ready to debate sightings with courtroom intensity. I plan to keep birding as a hobby, but who knows what January 1, 2027 will bring.

    A Baby Robin Steals the Spotlight

    My lifer list sits at 26 species. It is not impressive, but it is mine. During a recent trip to visit my grandma, who is recovering from a massive heart attack and pneumonia, my mom spotted a baby robin on the running board of her Chevy High Country truck. The timing was perfect. The photo captured the tiny bird in a pose that suggested it owned the entire driveway. If the pose didn’t the amount of poop covered on the truck and pavement suggested this was his territory.

    I had identified an adult robin in North Carolina last month, but this little robin became the star of the trip. Lifers can appear anywhere. Sometimes they show up in forests. Sometimes they show up on a pickup truck that has seen more road trips than I can count.

    The Red Winged Blackbird That Refused to Be Ignored

    During the drive back to North Carolina, my partner and I kept spotting a striking black bird. It had a bright red patch on its wings with a yellow border. The name red winged blackbird is accurate. However, I wondered why the yellow patch did not make the cut. Ornithologists name birds based on their most prominent feature. The red patch wins. The yellow border is simply a decorative accessory. I think the yellow deserves a small mention, but I will not be starting a bird naming petition.

    Carolina Chickadees and Possible Backyard Romance

    My video birdfeeders have been busy too. Two Carolina Chickadees have been visiting the suet and seed. They appear to be mates. At least I hope they are mates. I would prefer not to discover that I unknowingly officiated a sibling wedding. Their visits add charm to the backyard and let me know that my next lifer may be closer than I think.

    Listers: A Glimpse into Extreme Birdwatching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl-wAqplQAo&t=290s

    A red winged blackbird perched on a wire with a clear sky behind it.
    A red winged blackbird showing off its bright shoulder patch in Kansas, Ohio.
    Two Carolina Chickadees perched on a backyard feeder with suet and nectar containers.
    Carolina Chickadees lovebirds having their wedding officiated by yours truly through the backyard video birdfeeder.

    Feathered Friends Series

  • 🧡 My MS Journey | The Mono Chapter I Never Expected to Matter

    🧡 My MS Journey | The Mono Chapter I Never Expected to Matter

    When Doctors Started Asking About Mono

    During my first neurologist visit after my MS diagnosis in 2023, I heard a repetitive question. The doctor asked if I ever had mononucleosis. The same question came up multiple times during my hospital stay when the diagnosis became official.

    At first, I wondered why everyone suddenly cared about my law school‑era germs. However, I soon learned that Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and mono often appear in conversations about MS. While EBV does not guarantee MS, it is a major factor. Most people with MS have EBV, and those who had mono as teens or young adults carry a higher risk.

    Naturally, my medical history decided to raise its hand and say “present.”

    The October 2005 Mono Disaster

    In October 2005, I had a severe case of mono. The timing is unforgettable. My dad passed away the week before, and I was in my second year of law school. My body decided that grief was not enough and added mono to the syllabus.

    The fatigue was intense. One day I even fell down the steps. Thankfully, the dryer broke my fall. My mom drove me to law school every day for weeks. I slept in the back of her van between classes like a very tired sloth.

    My spleen and liver were enlarged. I also had a strange rash all over my body that confused my doctor. He even asked two medical students to come look. I agreed, although I briefly wondered if I should start charging admission.

    Looking back, this chapter explains why doctors asked about mono during my MS evaluation. My history fits the pattern more than I realized.

    Why Understanding Risk Factors Matters

    After my diagnosis, I tried to absorb as much information as possible. I wanted to help myself and hopefully help others. With neurological issues, such as MS, a diagnosis may not come immediately. Rather it may be a process of being misdiagnosed initially or ruling out what it is not over time. That process is frustrating. Especially when early diagnosis can make a difference.

    However, knowing risk factors can help you recognize early warning signs. Vision changes, balance issues, numbness, and tingling are common early symptoms. Reporting them early can change the course of your MS journey.

    Below are several risk factors that researchers continue to study. If you are experiencing several simultaneously or gradually over time this should raise your awareness.

    Common MS Risk Factors to Know

    • Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
      • EBV is extremely common. Almost everyone carries it. However, EBV infection appears to be a near prerequisite for developing MS. Timing and other factors have influence.
    • Infectious Mononucleosis
      • Mono is one of the strongest environmental risk factors for MS. A severe case during adolescence or young adulthood increases risk two to three times.
    • Low Vitamin D
      • Low vitamin D disrupts immune regulation. This disruption increases the chance of autoimmune activity in the central nervous system.
        • Even though I regularly spent time outside in the sun, my body wasn’t processing vitamin D from the sun properly.
    • Female
      • MS is diagnosed more often in females than males.
    • Close Relative With MS
      • A first‑degree relative (sibling/parent) with MS increases your risk from about 0.1% to 2-4%.
    • Overweight
      • High BMI in youth creates chronic inflammation. Excess fatty tissue can also reduce vitamin D levels.
    • Smoking
      • Tobacco introduces toxins that damage nerves and worsen disability. Smoking also reduces active vitamin D in the body.

    Why This Matters for My MS Journey

    Understanding these risk factors helped me connect the dots in my own story (EBV, mono, low vitamin D, female). My mono history, symptoms, and diagnosis all lined up in ways I never expected.

    This knowledge also helps me talk with others who are navigating early symptoms. Small clues can lead to earlier diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis can change everything.

    MS may be unpredictable, but information gives us power. Sometimes it even gives you a few laughs, especially when I remember the dryer that saved me at the bottom of a staircase.

    My MS Journey Series