TRAVERSE CITY ---- Kate Tabor will be thinking about her father with every step of the 235-mile trek she has planned with her good friend Erin Rosner.
Tabor, whose father was diagnosed with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis 30 years ago and Rosner, whose grandfather also suffered from the disease, will hike the Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail later this month to encourage others to join the fight against the debilitating neurological disease.
"The idea to walk the trail came about very organically,"' said Tabor, of Sylvan Lake, who has completed hikes in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, on Isle Royale and South Manitou Island with Rosner, of Traverse City.
"We wanted to do something to raise the awareness about this disease that effects so many people and this seemed like a natural fit," said Tabor, who is looking forward to the challenge of the hike that will span the state, from Empire to Oscoda.
"We wanted to do a longer hike and tie in something we were really passionate about," said Rosner, noting that they are anticipating being on the trail for two to three weeks.
Both girls realize they have been influenced by their lifelong connection to the disease that can cause symptoms from numbness and tingling, to paralysis or loss of vision.
"I think that having a parent or immediate relative with multiple sclerosis makes you grow up very quickly," said Tabor, noting that she takes inspiration from the way her father is able to adapt to any difficult situation he finds himself in.
"Some days just brushing his teeth is a challenge, but he remains positive and finds a way to accomplish his goal," said Tabor, attributing his outlook in part to the support he receives from his family and community.
Rosner and Tabor, whose hike will raise funds to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, recognize the significance of the organization that provides information and support to everyone living with multiple sclerosis: the diagnosed, their loved ones and their caregivers.
"We want people to be aware that the MS Society is there with resources that can connect them to others who are in the same situation," said Rosner, who will walk in memory of her grandfather, James Clark.
"If we get nothing else out of this than raising awareness about the disease and the MS Society, that would be great," Tabor said.
To track the progress of Kate Tabor and Erin Rosner, visit their Twitter page at http://twitter.com/ShoreToShore. To make a donation, visit http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?type=fr_tribute_fund&fr_id=7407&pxfid=173606&post_id=27137&bpg=rlist&pg=fund
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