THERE IS MORE HAPPINESS IN GIVING THAN RECEIVING

Tripp and I met our first friends here in KS while moving in our house about a year and a half ago. It was 104 degrees outside, I was so pregnant with Jack, sad about leaving Atlanta, and very lonely. Jen brought her son, Jack, (who is coincidentally only 2 days older than Tripp) down to meet us (they lived a few houses down from us). She was so friendly and I was so happy to meet her. Tripp and Jack hit it off and he too was happy to find a friend. They soon came to dinner at our house and I remember her complaining about having dizzy spells, like the room was spinning. We talked and maybe thought vertigo or an inner ear infection, something along those lines. She already had an appointment with her normal physician who couldn't figure out the cause of her dizziness so he sent her to an ENT that next week, and they too found nothing. She called her doctor back, insisting there had to be something wrong, that something was not right, and went to see a neurologist. The next thing I remember is calling her while waiting to board an airplane to Atlanta with Tripp. I remember thinking I'd disturbed her from a nap, but she explained she just got home from having brain surgery. Her CT scan showed lesions on her brain and the drs had to do a biopsy. She then got a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Jen was so positive following her diagnosis. She looked for the good in the situation. Never have I ever heard her complain. She took her diagnosis of MS better than anyone else I know would have, especially at the age of 29 with a young family. She is a wonderful wife and an amazing mother to Jack (and soon to be another little guy in October...yey!). She's also a great friend- she was there for me upon my return from that trip to Atlanta (and many others), helped me with the difficult adjustments of moving away from my family & friends and to Kansas, and also introducing our Jack and Charlotte into the world. She is truly an amazing friend with a wonderful heart.

For the second year, her husband is supporting her and participating in the MS 150 bike race. They are raising money, which will be used for new research projects on medications and clinical trials for medications to protect the brain & spinal cord of all MS individuals, as well as the identification of an MS gene. Please consider donating to this wonderful cause, for a wonderful person and family. If you are interested please click HERE to see their website and details. They are very grateful for every donation, no matter how big or small.