How to go
What: Walk MS Dayton 2010
When: 10 a.m., April 17. Walker check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Kettering Middle School
Contact: (513) 769-4400
The Walk MS Dayton ambassador doesn’t like to watch others take action when she can do it herself.
“We have to press on for a cure,” said Amy Vandergrift of Dayton.
Vandergrift, 38, has had multiple sclerosis for about four years. A master sergeant with the Air Force, Vandergrift works as a paralegal at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
When she moved to Dayton nearly three years ago, Vandergrift had already been involved with MS chapters.
Here, she joined MS Wingmen, the team that raises money and participates in the Walk MS each year. This year, she is team captain.
“They didn’t know I had MS until I told them,” Vandergrift said. “I am a pretty independent person. I’ve been in the Air Force for 19 years.”
The Air Force base is where she met Nikki White, a co-worker who also struggles with multiple sclerosis. They found they could support one another through their struggles with the condition.
“It was awesome to be able to talk about certain things and feel comfortable with Amy,” said White, 34, who has had multiple sclerosis for nine years.
Vandergrift has been a leader in connection to the MS Wingman team, White said.
When Vandergrift came, there were about 20 people on the team. Now, the team has more than 70. The team serves as another way to build camaraderie, White said.
Vandergrift said about 600 walkers are expected for the 2010 Walk MS event on April 17 at Kettering Middle School. More information about Walk MS can be found online at www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/OHG/index.aspx.
Vandergrift said her two young sons, Cody, 10, and Riley, 6, are helpful at home, but it is often difficult.
The funds from Walk MS will go the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
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