As we are all aware, our area of the country is unique. Not only are we blessed with beautiful surroundings, but we also experience some of the best weather on earth! And it is this weather that draws people with MS to the tri-county region which MSQLP serves. I firmly believe that everyone living here isn't more than two or three degrees of separation from someone who has MS. First degree - you know someone with MS. Second degree - you know someone who knows someone with MS. Etc.

The various national MS organizations have declared March is "MS Awareness Month." Multiple Sclerosis affects each person differently so an understanding of the disease is often difficult for those who have MS as well as for family members and the community. At MSQLP, we believe that knowledge is of great importance. Knowledge about MS, resources, support systems, processes, ... and the list goes on. One of MSQLP's goals is to promote an understanding of the scope of this disease and to assist those living with MS and their families to maintain and/or improve the quality of their lives.

Sincerely,

Andrea Dowdall

Board President

Program Supervisor  

2/5/2013

The Birdies for Charity Shootout was a really great day. Grant and I started by navigating to a special parking lot where we unloaded the wheelchair and were immediately met by a woman with a walkie-talkie who asked where we were trying to go. We knew that we had to get the Pro Shop to meet up with our representative amateur golfer Adam Greene who helped MSQLP by getting in the top 8 during the qualifying shootout a few weeks back. The woman in the parking lot used her radio to have a wheelchair van come to where I had parked in the parking lot, picking Grant and I up and taking us right near the Pro Shop, where we were dropped off. At that same location they had an ambulance ready for dispatch, and an emergency medical tent set up. We were amazed at how prepared and accommodating they were to special needs!

After we unloaded from the paratransit van, we were able to roll down to the Pro Shop to meet up with Adam and Larry Swank. Larry is board member Marie Swank's husband. He originally brought the idea of our participation in the Birdies for Charities events 3 years ago. After a quick lunch, we were met by Sarah (coordinator of Birdies for Charity) who gathered the 8 charities participating, and explained the various procedures and rules associated with the " Behind the Rope" badge we were given which allowed us to be in front of the main crowd and right next to the players. In addition, each charity got a goodies bag that contained a "Birdies for Charities" hat and badges/pins, which helped save some of my face from sunburn.

At first it was a bit difficult to position myself so I was comfortable and able to see what was going on from my manual wheelchair. However, once Grant and I got the feel for the crowd and how to get a good vantage point, we were able to get a good view of the players taking their strokes and putts. It was a little bit tricky getting into a good position with the manual wheelchair, but with my confidence and Grant's wheelchair maneuvering skills we were able to traverse the various terrains and obstacles we were presented with ( short grass, long grass, ruts, curbs, wood chips, and steep inclines).

At the end of the Charity Shootout I was able to get my hat signed by both of the golfers who represented MSQLP. They were Dwight Carter and Steve Bono who are retired from the San Francisco 49ers. Dwight Carter is known for the "famous catch" and Steve Bono was a 2nd String Quarterback during the Montana epoch.  It was really quite a remarkable day to be able to experience Pebble Beach and have the opportunity to be on the 17th and 18th holes, not in the crowd on the bleachers, but on the ocean side right next to all the players. Overall, a fun and gorgeous day representing MSQLP!

Thanks again to Adam Greene for being MSQLP's golfer. MSQLP received an extra $1,000 due to Adam's talent & participation.