Amanda Donnell

Walking Strong at Walk MS 2026 in the Triad

April 19, 2026

Last Saturday I returned to Walk MS for my second year. I showed up with my partner and kids, and we arrived ready for the three-mile route. It was exciting because this event means a lot to me. We had breakfast beforehand, which we could have skipped with the number of snacks and doughnuts provided.

After picking up my Walk MS t-shirt and checking out the sponsor tents, we joined the other participants and started walking. The energy was warm and supportive. People cheered, clapped, laughed and walked with intention. I walked with the focus of someone who refused to let the kids set the pace.

Checking Out the Sponsor Tents Like a Professional

Before the walk, as mentioned, we explored the sponsor tents. I love sponsor tents because they always offer new information. They also offer freebies, which I will grab with the speed of someone spotting the last good parking spot.

We stopped at the Ocrevus tent early. Ocrevus is my current MS treatment, so I wanted the opportunity to interact with one of the reps. I learned about a new treatment, Ocrevus Zunovo. It follows the same twice a year schedule as my current treatment. However, it offers a ten-minute subcutaneous injection instead of a long infusion.

I took the information packets and added it to my growing collection. I always keep a notebook for new questions to run by my neurologist. I plan to bring up this question at my next visit.

Last but not least, we visited the IVX Health tent. I complete my six-month infusions there now in Charlotte. However, I recently discovered they have locations in the triangle area. I wanted to discuss the possibility of switching to a closer location which should be easy to schedule after my next infusion in May.

Learning, Laughing, and Staying Curious

The event reminded me why I want to keep showing up. I want to support research and stay connected to the MS community. I also want to stay informed about every new treatment option.

Furthermore, I love that Walk MS brings people together. I saw families walking with pride and friends supporting each other. I saw volunteers cheering for every step. I am grateful for my partner and kids because they always show up with love and humor.

Below is a link for anyone who wants to join the Ocrevus community or connect with a clinical education manager. I believe in learning and asking questions. We should continue to stay curious because curiosity helps us move forward.

Moving Forward with Hope and Humor

I left the event feeling proud and a little tired. But I started my day early with three miles inching me closer to my 10,000 daily step count. With Walk MS every step, conversation and new piece of information matters.

I will keep walking, learning and filling my notebook with questions. I will also keep showing up for myself and my community. Walk MS 2026 reminded me that progress comes from movement, connection, and a little humor.

And I plan to bring all three with me into the next year.

https://www.ocrevus.com/patient/support/ms-resources.html?c=ocr-19b48229d65

Starting strong with my partner, kids, and enough enthusiasm to power three miles.

A reminder that support matters. A flyer with information about a virtual monthly MS support group.
Becoming a Bird Genius One Chipping Sparrow at a Time

April 17, 2026

I captured a Chipping Sparrow on my video bird feeder earlier this week. Shout out to my partner and kids for this Christmas gift! I feel like a wildlife photographer with a tiny budget. The bird looks adorable while also slightly judgmental. I respect that energy.

I’ve recently read a few articles about birdwatching and brain health. They say birdwatching can reshape the human brain. Comparing it to learning a language or playing an instrument. I read that and felt very motivated. But also, slightly attacked because I still confuse a female cardinal with a leaf that moves suspiciously fast.

However, I am now ready for a new challenge. I want to grow my bird knowledge while supporting my brain health. I have MS, so I look for every chance to strengthen my brain. Birdwatching is a fun way to do this. It is also a hobby that lets me sit down while still feeling productive.

Studying My Chipping Sparrow Like a Serious Researcher

Did I know that I captured a picture of a chipping sparrow earlier this week? Absolutely not! But I now know to look for the black eyeline, rufous cap and plain gray breast. Things are getting official now.

Furthermore, I learned that expert birders can identify birds by tiny details. They can spot subtle differences in plumage, hear small changes in songs and notice movement patterns that look identical to me. My brain wants to reach that level. My brain also wants cake, but that is a separate issue.

Because of this, I now watch birds with more intention. I pause the video feeder like I am reviewing game footage. Zoom in on feathers like I am solving a mystery. I compare field marks like I am preparing for a final exam. I’m smarter already.

Why Birdwatching Supports My MS Journey

I love that this hobby supports my MS journey. I want to keep my brain strong. I want to stay curious. I want to enjoy small moments that bring joy. Birdwatching gives me all of that. It also gives me a reason to mutter “Chipping Sparrow” with the quiet confidence of someone who finally got one right.

I know I will not become an expert birder overnight and will misidentify at least ten birds this week. It would be quite humorous if an actual bird expert cried foul to my claim and noted this as an American Tree Sparrow. I know I will confuse sparrows until further notice. Yet I also know that every moment of learning helps my brain. Every moment of focus builds new pathways. Every moment of joy matters.

Finding Joy in Every Feathered Visit

So, I will keep watching and learning. I will keep cheering for every bird that visits my feeder. My Chipping Sparrow may not know it, but it helps me build a healthier brain. I found a hobby that supports my MS journey with charm and tiny wings.

My video bird feeder keeps watch while the shed supervises from the background.

The front yard bird spa stays open for business from sunrise to sunset.
What Real Consistency Looks Like: My 10,000‑Step Habit

April 15, 2026

Why I Thought Consistency Meant Perfection

When I started walking every day, I thought consistency meant perfection. I thought it meant hitting 10,000 steps every single day without a single wobble. Then I saw a post from Gary Vaynerchuk that gave me pause. Yes, the same Gary Vaynerchuk I wrote about in my first blog post! He showed two rows of glasses. The top row had the same amount of water in every glass. The caption said, “This isn’t real consistency.” The bottom row had glasses filled at different levels. The caption said, “This is real consistency.” And that hit home.

I thought about my own step journey from my diagnosis in October 2023 through the end of 2025. During that time, I built a strong streak from February 2024 through September 2024 and hit my daily step goal almost every day. Then life shifted, and I slipped out of the habit. I did not lose interest. I just let the chaos of real life pull me off track. So, I knew that when I started 2026, there would be moments that tried to derail my new goal. I also knew I would need to push through those imperfect days if I wanted to build something that lasted.

Because if you look at my step count from January through April, you will see both rows of glasses in action. You will see neatly completed hearts in my Samsung Galaxy Ring app in January, March and current through April. Then, you will see nine hearts that look like they were completed by someone who got distracted throughout the day. Squirrel!

How January Built My Momentum

January felt like a strong start. I hit my 10,000‑step goal every single day. Thirty‑one for thirty‑one. It was steady and predictable. It felt like momentum. But it also felt like the kind of month that tricks you into thinking you have mastered life.

But then February arrived.

Why February Became the Month That Actually Taught Me Something

February was messy. I missed nine days. Life got busy. My stress elevated and energy dipped. My routine shifted. I had days where I walked far less than I planned. Those days used to derail me. I would fold. I would think one bad day meant the whole streak was ruined.

But this time, I kept going. And I did not let nine off days erase the other nineteen. Even on the days when my step count looked like it needed a pep talk, I kept moving.

How March Proved That Consistency Survives Imperfection

March came next, and I hit 10,000 steps every day again. Thirty-one for thirty-one. This streak even included the day I walked 19,986 steps. If I had realized I only needed fourteen more steps to hit 20,000, you better believe I would have marched in place like a confused Roomba until I crossed the line. I did not keep going because I was perfect. Nor, did I keep going because I suddenly became a fitness influencer. I kept going because I pushed through the messy month before it and refused to let February set the tone.

And that is the part that matters. The comeback month only exists because the messy month came first.

Why April Shows What Real Rhythm Looks Like

Now it is April. Fourteen days in, and I have hit my goal every day so far. The month is still young, but the rhythm feels strong. It feels like the kind of consistency that grows from showing up, not from chasing perfection.

Even on the days when I pace throughout the house late into the evening, I still show up. And yes, the hallway has seen things.

What MS Has Taught Me About Real Consistency

Having MS has taught me that consistency is not about control. It is about commitment. It is about showing up for myself in ways that support my health, my mindset, and my long‑term strength. Some days I walk three to four miles. Other days I walk less. Some days I hit 10,000 steps before dinner. Some days I hit it after forcing myself to get out of bed because I forgot I hadn’t hit my benchmark yet.

But I keep going. And that is the point.

Why This Matters for Anyone Building a Habit

So, this is what real consistency looks like. It builds habits and keeps me moving even when my legs file a complaint. It strengthens my MS journey one imperfect day at a time. This will last because it survives the chaos, the busy days, the low‑energy days, and the “why did I wait until 11:00 p.m. to walk” days. I am proud of this progress, even if some days look like a confident stride while others look like I am pacing my hallway like I’m lost.

January 2026: A perfect month of consistency with all 31 days over 10,000 steps.

February 2026: A real‑life month with nine days under my 10,000‑step goal.

March 2026: Another full month of hitting 10,000 steps every day.

April 2026: Fourteen days in, and I’ve met my 10,000‑step goal every day so far.
Why I Spoke Up About NIH Funding

April 14, 2026

A new budget proposal landed with a thud this month. It hit with the same energy as a surprise fatigue flare on a busy day. The President released the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request, and it included a twelve percent cut to the National Institutes of Health. With the current administration it feels easy to get overwhelmed by the issues we care about and how best to speak out. Sometimes you just need to jump in and use your voice. Every advocate starts somewhere, and this felt like my moment to build momentum.

Why This Matters for People With MS

The NIH drives medical research across the country. Every MS disease modifying therapy available today exists because of NIH funded basic research. Cuts of this size could slow progress. They could also delay new treatments for people who have MS. I care about that because I have MS. I want a future with more options, not fewer.

My Emails to Congress

Yesterday I wrote to my members of Congress in North Carolina. I contacted Senator Ted Budd, Senator Thom Tillis, and Representative Tim Moore, asking them to reject cuts to medical research at the NIH. Additionally, I asked them to support strong funding for the next fiscal year. I kept my message clear and direct. I wanted them to understand why this matters to people with MS.

A few weeks earlier, I wrote to the same three members of Congress. I added my voice to more than one hundred seventy-five MS Activists on Capitol Hill. We advocated for stronger MS research funding and accessible, affordable healthcare. I felt proud to join that effort.

Why I Keep Speaking Up

As someone with MS, I know progress does not happen by accident. It happens because people speak up and share their stories. It also happens because people stay involved even when the issues feel complex. I want to help shape a future where people with MS have better treatments and better support. I want to help create a world where fewer people feel confused or alone.

How You Can Help

You can make an impact too. A personalized message to Congress carries more weight than you might think and it doesn’t require a trip to D.C. or comfortable shoes. Your voice helps shape policy, support research, and strengthen the future of MS treatments.

Join me in advocating for a future where people with MS have the resources, research, and care they deserve. Humor optional, impact guaranteed.

Make your voice heard: https://nmss.quorum.us/campaign/160280/

Senator Thom Tillis replied to my MS advocacy message and shared his views on medical research funding.

Senator Ted Budd replied to my MS advocacy message and shared his perspective on Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations and federal spending.

US Senator Thom Tillis responded to my recent MS advocacy email and shared his views on medical research funding.
Why I Joined My First MS Research Study

April 13, 2026

I spent 20 minutes of my weekend doing something new. I participated in my first MS research study as a new way to get involved, and encourage others to do the same. My MS Resources page offers a link for anyone who wants to raise their voice and support meaningful change by participating in research studies. I used that link and feel proud of myself for taking action when the right opportunity came along.

Learning About the Study

The online study comes from Dr. Malachy Bishop at the University of Wisconsin Madison. His team studies how people with MS make career decisions. They want to understand what resources are valuable for people with MS to make informed choices. They also want to learn how different work situations shape the information people need. Finally, they want to explore the factors people consider when they make career decisions.

Why I Chose to Participate

I joined the study because my diagnosis raised many questions about my future career and ability to work. At the time, I did not know what work would look like for me in the days, weeks and months ahead. I kept moving forward, but I wish I had more guidance during that time. Now, I want to help others who face similar uncertainty. I figure my experience could help someone else feel less lost. I also liked the idea of contributing to research without needing a lab coat!

What Participation Means

My participation will not help me directly. It may help others in the future. The study focuses on career resource and informational needs of people living with MS and the factors considered when making career decisions. I know how confusing that stage can feel, and want to support research that brings clarity to that process. I also want to show that people with MS can shape the future we live in.

Why This Matters

Research moves forward when people participate. I feel proud to be part of something that supports the MS community. I hope more people with MS consider joining studies that match their interests. Every voice adds value. Every story helps researchers understand our needs.
Walking for a Future Without MS

April 10, 2026

One determined step at a time! I am getting ready for my second Walk MS and the excitement is already kicking in. Walk MS brings friends, family, loved ones, and the entire MS community together. We show support and solidarity because no one should ever have to face this disease alone.

My first Walk MS took place in Charlotte in 2024, even though the walk location was technically in Ballantyne. I participated solo that year and still had an incredible experience. The three-mile walk helped me hit my daily 10,000 step goal. It also gave me the perfect excuse to enjoy several new murals along the route. I also interacted with my neurologist and members of my care team at the Atrium tent. I mingled with others living with MS and learned even more about the disease and treatment options. It was the kind of day that reminded me how powerful community can be, even when you show up alone.

This year feels even more meaningful because I will attend with my partner and kids. We are officially walking as Team MSfits. It’s the perfect name for a squad that shows up with heart, humor, and a little bit of chaos. We are choosing the three-mile route again because apparently, I enjoy pretending I am training for the Olympics. Or maybe I just like earning those 10,000 steps the dramatic way.

On Saturday, April 11, we will be out there in the Triad, walking, laughing, soaking in the energy, and reminding ourselves why this event matters so much. I cannot wait to share this experience with my family and to continue walking toward a future without MS.

https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participant/Amanda_Donnell

The vibrant mural tunnel I walked briefly off the path through during my first Walk MS in Charlotte (Ballantyne). A burst of color that made the three mile route feel even more inspiring.

The vibrant “Welcome to Ballantyne” mural that greeted me during my first Walk MS in Charlotte. A cheerful reminder of the community surrounding this event.
How My MS Symptoms Finally Forced Me to Listen

April 8, 2026
Listening to My Body, Eventually

They say knowledge is power and sharing is caring. I agree, but I also know I could have listened to my body better before my diagnosis. I’m not sure I felt ready to take anything seriously at that time. Additionally, did not advocate for myself the way I should have. When I look at the list of symptoms I share below, I see how a doctor may have connected the dots sooner. Most symptoms appeared alone and often improved, so I try not to beat myself up. However, the two weeks before my diagnosis still haunt me. I should have gone to the doctor sooner. Thank goodness my mom advocates for me and makes me listen when I refuse to listen to myself.

The First Symptom That Started It All

As I mentioned on My MS Journey page, the first symptom hit in a strange way. A tingling sensation came and went in my legs, leaving everything from my kneecaps down feeling numb. In September 2022, I went to urgent care. They X-rayed my feet for bone spurs. I said this theory was so off track it needed a map, a compass, and a second opinion from Google.

Before that visit, I did get an opinion from a WebMD search. I hated the first ten options. Multiple sclerosis appeared on that list, and I remember the dread. I rattled off several possible causes to the doctor. She dismissed MS and said I was too young. I later learned I was in the prime age group for women to receive this diagnosis. She ruled out her theory of bone spurs and tested me for diabetes at my insistence, as diabetic neuropathy was on the list. She felt certain I did not have diabetes, and she was right. I felt grateful for that result because my sweet tooth remains undefeated.

The steroid pack eased the symptoms. The numbness and tingling came and went for months. The next symptom did not appear until June 2023 when I started experiencing brain fog and memory issues.

The Summer My Memory Went on Vacation

I remember a family trip to the OBX that summer. My sister and I argued more than usual. I knew something felt wrong with my memory, but I had not told anyone yet. I always prided myself on my memory. When she shared her version of events, I felt confused and irritated. I did not care who was right. I cared about whether my brain betrayed me or if I was being gaslit.

People say, “Be kind, you never know what someone else is going through.” This situation proved that point. I needed honesty from others, but I also needed honesty from myself. If I had admitted the memory issues sooner, I could have explained why I reacted so strongly.

Fatigue That Hit Like a Falling Piano

While the mobility issues scared me, the fatigue hit the hardest. In August 2023, I noticed how tired I felt during the day. The exhaustion grew so intense that I started canceling evening plans. I used to stay out past midnight on Saturdays, often at a drag show. Suddenly, I fell asleep by 8 or 9 p.m.

I knew people with autoimmune diseases who talked about fatigue. I thought I understood it. Comparing it to staying out all night and then working an eight-hour shift was wrong. Nothing prepared me for this level of exhaustion. It felt like someone unplugged my battery and forgot to tell me.

Now the fatigue feels more manageable. A few days each month still knock me down. I also feel more tired after 1 p.m. each day. However, I can function and push through most days.

The Day Everything Collided

The most interesting symptom appeared the day before I went to the hospital. I had two short drives that day. First, I took my cat, Serenity, to the vet. I placed her in her carrier and drove the three miles to PetSmart. On the way, I hit the curb while entering the turn lane. I brushed it off as I consider myself a decent driver, but mistakes happen.

I parked far from the entrance like I always do. As I carried Serenity, I felt off balance. I switched the carrier between my hands to steady myself. PetSmart has sliding doors that open automatically. As I walked in, my left shoulder and left wrist slammed into the door frame. My watch made a loud clang that echoed through my ear. I ignored the stares and wobbled to the back for her appointment.

On the drive home, I hit the curb twice! I blamed the roundabout. Later that evening, I almost canceled plans with my best friend. Fatigue hit hard, but we already bought tickets for the opening night of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour movie.

As I walked to my car, I stumbled down the single step in my garage. My car caught my fall. I opened the door and reached for the steering wheel. I lost my balance and slid into the seat like a melting snowman. Thankfully, the drive to the theater was only a mile on back roads.

I enjoyed the movie and my friend’s company. However, I dreaded the walk down the theater steps. My foot felt half asleep, and the numbness in my legs grew stronger. My best friend implied I looked like I pregamed with three red bull vodkas. He walked me to my car to make sure I made it safely. I drove the mile home and collapsed into bed.

The Call That Changed Everything

While none of these symptoms felt great in the moment, I feel grateful they all surfaced at once in October. They pushed me to call my mom. She insisted I go to the hospital. I ended up with the right doctor that day. No one wants a diagnosis, but catching it early can make a difference.

In the end, all those strange symptoms finally teamed up and forced me to pay attention. I did not enjoy the chaos, but I feel grateful it pushed me toward answers. Now, I know my body speaks in clues, riddles, and the occasional slap across the face, and I plan to listen better next time. I cannot control every twist in this MS story, but I can control how quickly I respond when my legs, brain, or balance start acting like they want their own sitcom. For now, I feel steady, informed, and ready for whatever plot twist shows up next.

My Early MS Symptoms Timeline

Earliest Noticeable Symptoms: September 2022

Diagnosis Date: October 15, 2023

Symptom Timeline
1. Numbness and Tingling September 2022
  - Legs and face
2. Brain Fog and Memory Issues June 2023
3. Severe Fatigue August 2023
4. Driving Difficulties October 2023
  - Trouble staying centered in lanes and hitting curbs
5. Mobility Issues in Legs, Arms, and Fingers October 2023
  - Frequent wobbles
  - Unable to put on pants while standing without losing balance
  - Trouble typing and opening bottles
6. Inability to Walk October 2023
7. Left Hand Tremor October 2023
8. Loss of Taste October 2023
9. Lower Back Pain November 2023
Choosing MS Treatment with Humor and Panic

April 6, 2026

The MS Roller Coaster Begins

After spending four days in the hospital, I begged to go home and finish my steroid infusion there. My care team finally agreed, but first they needed to set up a peripheral intravenous line. A PIV is a small flexible catheter that stays in your vein for a few days. I never loved needles, but this week forced me to get over it. I still look away, yet routine blood work no longer makes me squeamish.

After I escaped the hospital, the next two months hit fast. I bounced between my neurologist, primary care doctor, phlebotomist, and infusion therapy appointments. Each visit filled my calendar and my brain. I needed a neurologist appointment to choose a treatment plan, but the earliest date was November 29, 2023. Thankfully, I received a surprise call on November 2. An appointment opened on November 3, and I grabbed it before anyone could change their mind.

I had been diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS. For anyone unfamiliar with this type of MS, picture a roller coaster that starts and stops whenever it wants. There will be sudden drops called relapses followed by smoother stretches called remissions. But the ride operator never shares the ride schedule. Essentially, this MS roller coaster has a visual sign that reads ¯\\(ツ)/¯.

Bringing Back Up to the Big Appointment

For the appointment, a friend offered to come with me and take notes. She would pass on updates to my family and anyone else who needed the Amanda Status Report. The support meant a lot, but having someone with a fully functioning brain in the room was priceless. I was operating at peak space cadet levels, and she was basically my court appointed adult supervision.

As we talked through treatment options, I remember us exchanging subtle attorney to attorney glances that the neurologist noticed. We both worked on enough pharmaceutical matters to know the medical world sometimes includes incentive structures that make you listen harder. It is the general professional awareness that makes you pay attention when medications enter the conversation.

Suddenly, this was not a case file or a deposition outline. This was my actual life, body, and future on the line. So naturally, we launched into what can only be described as a polite but thorough cross examination. After our tag team interrogation ended, I felt confident that Tysabri infusions made sense, with Ocrevus as the backup plan.

The Test That Changed Everything

I needed blood work to learn if I had the JC (John Cunningham) virus. This test would decide my infusion treatment. The probability of having the JC virus as an adult is high. My neurologist said about 85 percent of adults have it, and it usually stays dormant. The biggest risk with Tysabri involves PML, which is a rare and serious brain infection. The risk increases with a JCV positive test. I, or at least the space cadet recalled the remembered the numbers. If negative, the risk was one in ten thousand. If positive, the risk was one in two hundred fifty.

These numbers terrified me. I told everyone I felt confident about choosing Tysabri, but I lost sleep every night. I thought I would start the treatment even with a positive result. The number two hundred forty-nine haunted me. The number nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine did not comfort me either. When it is your life, statistics feel personal. I knew I did not want severe disability from PML. I also did not want to lose my vision or die. Yet the alternative felt like a trap. My MS symptoms could progress, and I could face disability anyway. It felt like a cruel catch twenty-two. I cried often; trying to stay brave like my grandma after she broke her hip. I may have looked brave on the outside, but my brain would not shut off inside.

A week after Thanksgiving, my neurologist called with news. We moved to plan B, Ocrevus. This surprised me because I thought Tysabri remained the plan no matter what. I already saw the positive test in MyChart and convinced myself I would get PML and die. I felt some relief when I heard the new plan. The PML risk with Ocrevus is rare, even for people who test positive for the JC virus. Then my brain switched gears and told me Ocrevus was inferior. I worried I would lose mobility to MS instead.

After my neurologist explained that plan B was not inferior, I felt calmer. My mind had been stuck on the scary statistics. Now I had new risks, but the odds looked better. I did not gloss over them, but the fear eased. I no longer felt like an impostor, learning that fear and a positive mindset can live together. They do not need to cancel each other out.

Today, my brain still spirals at times. At least now, it spirals with better data and a decent sense of humor. I now have clarity, know my path and know I can walk it.

Amanda Status Report
Stadium #18 at Last: A Birthday Trip, Extra Innings, and a Legendary Delay

April 3, 2026

I made visiting all 30 MLB stadiums a bucket list goal in 2007 after graduating law school. I took a trip to Chicago catching both a White Sox game and a Cubs game during that visit. Those two parks became stadiums three and four on my list. The challenge slowly grew from a fun idea into a tradition. Over the years, I added Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Atlanta (twice), and several others. My first stadium visit was in 1998 to cheer on my favorite team the Detroit Tigers. Still, I didn’t start consistently checking off stadiums until 2017. Since then, only three years (2018, 2020, and 2022) kept me from adding at least one new ballpark.

However, one of those years deserves its own plaque in the Hall of Fame of Delayed Plans. In 2022, I fully intended to visit Citizens Bank Park and mark the Phillies as stadium number fourteen. As most of you may recall from my prior post, my grandma’s now‑iconic Lincoln Memorial slide had other ideas. Her ten‑second marble‑railing adventure postponed my Philadelphia plans by four full years. Incredibly, this single moment delayed my MLB stadium progress more than a global pandemic!

Thankfully, this year finally gave me the chance to make up for lost time. Last weekend, my partner, our kids, and I traveled to Philadelphia for Opening Night as part of my birthday weekend. Citizens Bank Park officially became MLB city number eighteen for me. I count it as my eighteenth stadium, even though my baseball journey includes a few quirks. For example, I saw my first MLB game at old Tiger Stadium in 1998 and have since visited Comerica Park. Additionally, I visited Turner Field in 2013 and returned to Atlanta in 2018 to see the Braves at Truist Park. The Oakland Athletics moved out of the Coliseum in 2024 and won’t play in a true MLB stadium until 2028. I refuse to count any temporary Sacramento games held at a minor league facility toward my list. I have standards.

Beyond the stadium count, this trip also gave me the chance to reconnect with a former coworker. We were supposed to meet at the Phillies game four years ago, before the legendary slide derailed everything. Meeting him in the ballpark for the first felt like closing a loop that had been open far too long.

The best part, though, came from sharing the experience with my partner and our kids. Citizens Bank Park turned out to be incredibly family‑friendly, especially with its impressive kid zone. The kids ran, climbed, shot hot dogs out of a cannon, and burned enough energy to power the stadium lights. Meanwhile, we enjoyed the game, the atmosphere, and the feeling of finally being exactly where we were supposed to be.

Beyond baseball, as mentioned on My MS Journey page, this bucket list took on new meaning after my diagnosis. These trips no longer feel like casual baseball outings. Instead, they feel intentional, joyful, and grounding. For three years, I’ve tied MLB stadium visits to my birthday and chosen experiences that make life feel full.

Ultimately, this year’s Philadelphia trip checked off another stadium and redeemed a four‑year delay caused by one unforgettable grandma. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Amanda’s MLB Travel Map

MLB Stadiums Needed
How My Grandma’s Legendary Fall Shaped My MS Mindset

April 2, 2026

The Day of the Legendary Lincoln Memorial Slide

My mom, grandma, and I planned a summer road trip. We would visit two MLB stadiums on my bucket list and take my grandma to new casinos. We mapped out every stop with excitement. First, we would spend a night in DC. Then we would head to Philadelphia for an afternoon Phillies game and a stay at the casino. After that, we planned to drive to Connecticut to visit two of the largest casinos in the country. Finally, we would end the trip in Boston to see my law school friends at Fenway Park.

Twelve hours into the trip, everything changed. My then 88‑year‑old grandma earned herself a ten‑day stay at George Washington University Hospital. How? With her legendary slide down the Lincoln Memorial, of course! That is not a typo. As my grandma would say, “Oh Edna, ya big dummy!” It fit the moment perfectly.

Two hours before her unexpected stunt, we checked into our hotel and learned something shocking. My grandma had never visited DC before. She had never seen the monuments. We solved that quickly. We grabbed an Uber and headed straight to the Lincoln Memorial.

The elevators were out of order, so we took the stairs. As we climbed, a group of teenage boys slid down the marble railing like it was a theme park ride. I joked with my grandma and asked if she planned to try it later. She smirked and said, “I might.”

She had removed her nylon coat because of the heat and tied it around her waist. That detail would soon matter. After we admired the Memorial, we headed back down. The boys were still sliding. My grandma wanted her turn and insisted I go to the bottom to record the moment.

I hit record. The video lasted ten seconds. The chaos lasted four. None of us realized that the nylon jacket would turn her into a human rocket. Before my mom yelled “catch her,” I already knew she would not stop at the end of the rail. I was crouched with my phone and flung out an arm, but I was too late. A man helped her stand, and we realized something was wrong.

An ambulance arrived on the south lawn of the Lincoln Memorial. Within hours, doctors confirmed she had broken her hip. Doctors told us she would need two weeks of acute physical therapy after surgery. They had never met a woman who could out‑stubborn gravity. She was also determined to get home to Ohio to be surrounded by her sisters, kids and even the casino. Yes, a casino. Grandma isn’t one to sit around and look at four walls all day. She’s never met a stranger and she had many friends to get back to socializing with at the casino.

After ten days in the hospital and five in physical therapy, she walked out with a walker and a mission. She made it back to Ohio and returned to the casino a few days later.

This story is epic, but it is not the reason I’m writing about it. Her mindset during that time stayed with me. If she was scared shitless, she never led on. My grandma never cried, got angry or complained. She stayed calm, funny, and focused. Any emotion would have been understandable, but she chose humor and grit.

I remember thinking that if I ever faced something similar, I hoped I could show half her composure. Four hundred forty‑nine days later, I received my MS diagnosis. After hearing I did not need surgery, my mind went straight to my grandma. I remembered her strength and her humor. I knew my mindset would shape the next minutes, days, weeks, months, and years.

Thank you to my legendary grandma. She taught me how to face the hard things with courage, humor, and a little chaos.

Watch the 10 second video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CVX2PGEqo/