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Yesterday I used this space to mark the passing of Christopher Reeve. I have a lot of respect for the work he did raising funds and awareness to help vicitims of spinal cord injuries. Last week I got a letter from a friend from college, Ken Weidinger. He and his sister Bonnie are also heroes of mine so I want to share part of that letter:

Dear Friends,

Recently my brother David and I completed the MS 150 bike ride in Atlanta, Georgia. We have ridden this ride together for the past 11 years in honor of our sister Bonnie who has bravely fought Multiple Sclerosis for over 20 years. We ride because others can’t. We ride because this is an awful disease that often robs friends and loved ones of their own mobility. We ride to raise awareness. We ride to raise money that supports patients, their families, and the ongoing research to fight Multiple Sclerosis.

Bonnie continues to live each day with courage, strength, and grace. She is a source of constant inspiration and support to her family, active in many church activities, and reads more than anyone that I know. If you were to talk with Bonnie on the phone, it is her positive nature and enthusiasm for life that would come through loud and clear. Never is there a hint of the daily challenges and struggles that she faces as her body continues to be affected by this disease.

The ride goes on. Six years ago David formed Team Bonnie to inspire the riders who ride in her honor. This year over 75 riders donned the purple and black Team Bonnie uniforms (for the full impact of that visual gem I suggest you check out the photos at [dead link]) and cycled for two days over the back roads of rural Georgia. We were proud, purple, and passionate about the cause. Our goal is simple… raise as much money as we can to fight Multiple Sclerosis.

I think I met Bonnie only once and that was many years ago. I remember when Ken told me she had been diagnosed with MS. He had an incredibly positive attitude because they finally knew what they were fighting. As bad as MS is, knowing was better than the doubt and uncertainty that had preceded the diagnosis. And now they ride. One hundred and fifty miles in two days. I get saddle sore thinking about that. And they get over 75 people to join in. Don’t underestimate the power of proud, purple, and passionate.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society accepts donations through their web site at www.nmss.org or at: