From Diagnosis to Determination

Several years ago, after months of countless and frustrating doctor’s visits, my husband, Steve, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called CISP (Chronic Immune Sensory Polyradiculopathy).

CISP is a rare disorder in which the body attacks the myelin sheaths of the peripheral nerves. To explain it in layman's terms, think of your house as your body and the electrical cords that run through your house as your nerves.

Now, imagine that your house becomes confused and starts  attacking and destroying the insulation around those electrical lines, causing them to spark, short out, and wreak havoc on your home. That’s what CISP does to the body.

Physically, Steve has mobility issues, neuropathy, and bolts of pain. However, the toll I’ve seen it take on him mentally and emotionally has been even worse. If you know him, you know he’s a hard worker, always on the go, and never meets a stranger. He’s a homegrown Kansas cowboy at heart. Seeing him struggle with the inability to do things he once did has been heartbreaking.

One of those things is riding his prized BMW motorcycle. Not only does he love riding, but it's also strongly attached to memories of his dad. Since Steve was 14, he and his dad, Bob, rode together. I’ve heard story after story of their adventures, and it’s something Steve holds very dear. So, you can imagine his internal struggle when he realized he could no longer ride his bike due to his mobility and balance issues.

As he came to terms with this, he and I started discussing possible options for him to continue riding safely. One of those options was to buy a bike with a sidecar. I encouraged him to start looking, and after lots of searching and enlisting the help of his brother, Mark, who is also an avid rider, he finally found the one he wanted. Ironically, the bike was in his home state of Kansas.

With Mark’s help, he made the deal, drove out to Kansas with a trailer in tow, and brought the bike back to Georgia.

This photo was taken in our driveway as he headed out for his first weekend getaway on his newfound freedom.

Steve could have easily given up and let his disease win by stealing something he loves to do.

But he didn’t.

He kicked its A$$!

Things happen that are out of our control. Sometimes, things happen as a result of the choices we make, but we do not have to let that define us.

We always have the choice to surrender.

We always have the choice to doubt.

We always have the choice to throw in the towel.

We always have the choice to give in to the pain.

But guess what else we have?

We always have the choice to fight for it.

We always have the choice to believe there’s a way.

We always have the choice to not give up.

We always have the choice to trust that there is purpose in the pain.

So today, if you’re facing something hard, struggling to believe in your abilities, considering giving up on yourself, or doubting your self-worth, please, PLEASE don’t give up!

You are so much more than your circumstances.

Believe in yourself, and I’ll believe with you.

Go, Steve, GO!!!