Betty Gibson is a part of the new class of 2012 MSF Ambassadors. She is a veteran of our MSF Cruise for a Cause and she engages in many activities to help the MS community. She recently took part in riding on a Dragon Boat and it sounded like such a cool experience that we asked if she could write a little bit about it.
Multiple Sclerosis Meets the Dragon!
Hi! I am Betty
Gibson, and have had multiple sclerosis for over 30 years. My main problem is that, ‘no I can’t do that’
just doesn’t fit my vocabulary. When one
of our neighbors in The Villages, Florida
– our part-time home – invited me to ride on a Dragon Boat, of course I said
yes. Did I know what I was going to
do? No!
A Dragon Boat holds 20 paddlers who, with the steerer and
cadence counter, work very hard to keep the narrow, canoe-like boat level and
smooth in the water. At the same time,
racing speed is the norm. The regular
teams exercise strenuously and practice often.
Push ups? They do that. Sit ups?
Easy…for them! Needless to say,
this was not something for me. However,
I did it! (No, not the exercises!)
The team I joined for a morning workout just returned from competition in Hong Kong. Yes, they are that good. I did paddle, most of the time. However, the racing power-starts unseated me. Hold on, or you will be sitting on the lap of the person behind you!
Would I do it again?
Of course! Multiple sclerosis may
be a part of my body, but it is not and will not be a ruling factor in my
mind. Go, Dragon Boat!
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