The Bethany Fund

Bethany’s Story
It all started with two bouts of blurry vision. A trip to the doctor, 2 MRIs, and a spinal tap eventually confirmed a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Bethany remembers she was preparing to teach her morning class when she received the call telling her what the MRI indicated.

Her life was forever changed.

MS is a deceptive illness in its first phases. An individual can look and sound as they always have. The exhaustion, pain and mind fog cannot be perceived to the naked eye. Friends and family are at a loss for the impact a diagnosis has both physically and mentally on an individual. Since Bethany was first diagnosed she has experienced increasing debilitating fatigue, nerve and muscle pain throughout her legs, and a decline in cognition and speech. She has had to leave her position as a professor which she loved and with that a loss of self-identity and purpose. 

However never an individual to shy away from life’s hardships Bethany has confronted her diagnosis with courage, dignity and resolve to make a positive impact from her illness. Bethany has become a registered Yoga Teacher and currently continues her studies in a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program.

When I asked Bethany what she does to help herself through her hard times she very honestly responded... 

“I pray, meditate, practice classical Hatha yoga (gentle), spend time outside, journal, and sometimes I cry. I go through various stages of the grief process. I also take time to appreciate all the gifts in life, starting with the abilities I DO have, such as spending time with my family and friends, excellent medical care, and a multitude of freedoms. Talking with others who have MS is also helpful, but there needs to be a balance between discussing the challenges of MS with the joys of life. I also have an amazing therapist.”

What I am Doing
Bethany is one of my oldest friends. She was one of my roommates at Ohio Wesleyan University and we have been lifelong friends ever since. Through weddings, moves, children, careers, advanced degrees (she has a Ph.D.in Educational Studies--Curriculum and Instruction) and of course her diagnosis we have traveled a lot of ground together.

On March 15 I will be travelling to France to walk 448 miles across Spain on the El Camino de Santiago. I will be doing this in honor of Bethany’s courageous battle.