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The Reality of Hope in 2018
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December 26, 2017
by Jonathan Sigworth
Dear Friends,
Jessica and I at More Than Walking hope that you have been able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends this month. Growing up in Connecticut, I always thought that Christmas and the New Year occurred at the oddest time - the start of wintry wet days and long icy nights. How could this be the time of year to celebrate joyful giving and hope for the future? For those of us who are facing tragedy, loss, and uncertainty, things like HOPE and JOY are less like feelings and seem more like flimsy new year resolutions.
As part of our mission to share the path to independence after spinal cord injury, I had the opportunity to interview my rugby teammate Lynn over Skype earlier this month. Having lived with another chronic disability even before becoming a quadriplegic in high school, Lynn never gave up but kept adapting and pushing the limits of her situation and abilities. She couldn't play basketball at UCONN, so she became the manager of the women's team just as they landed onto the national stage. After learning of adaptive sports, she mastered downhill skiing, and is pursuing a new sport for her - wheelchair rugby. Recently, Lynn travelled to an out-of-state tournament without the need of an attendant for the first time in her life. The risks never stop, but neither do the learning and growing.
As you approach 2018, with joy or dread, we want you to know that feelings have nothing to do with our true reality. Join us in believing that there are people, like Lynn, like you and me, worth hoping for. Please check out Lynn's interview below and consider supporting More Than Walking as we strive to share more stories that will help others to journey through the darker days and beyond.
With that, we leave you to your merriment or hard work - or both. Either way, it is so worth the while. Many Cheers!
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How you can help
We are looking for volunteers to help with our website & social media design, video editing, fundraising, legal concerns, and pilot research. So if that’s you or someone you know, pass this on and reach out to me at jsigworth@gmail.com.
Also, please consider becoming a monthly supporter through our current non-profit sponsor, Millennium (account designation: escip.003), as we search out grants and prepare to launch a crowdfunding campaign. Every contribution allows us to keep editing videos, recruit more mentors, and design online educational materials that will transform lives.
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