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Rolling On: One Woman Bikes Against MS

Summary & Participants

Two years ago, Veronica McTiernan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But today, she is training for her second year of participation in this annual fundraising event. How does biking help her cope?

Medically Reviewed On: July 16, 2008

Webcast Transcript

NARRATOR: Over 5,000 people participated in this year's MS bike tour. These cyclists fought the streets of New York City to raise money for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. One rider's battle, however, was more personal than most.

VERONICA MCTIERNAN: I was diagnosed with MS on September 28, 2004.

Two years ago, Veronica McTiernan was in the hospital receiving treatment for MS, when she saw bikers roll past her window.

VERONICA MCTIERNAN: It dawned on me that it was the MS bike tour weekend.I kind of thought, "Well, okay, you know, yeah, they're doing the bike tour, but I couldn't do that."

NARRATOR: Ronnie had always been an avid cyclist, but was forced to stop when she began to have weakness in her knee. Balance problems followed, but it was years before a specialist determined that she had MS. The diagnosis came as a relief.

VERONICA MCTIERNAN: My instinct was to do this. It was a big relief for me.

NARRATOR: Veronica did all she could prevent MS from affecting her life, including physical therapy to regain strength in her knee. Soon, the MS bike tour became the goal.

VERONICA MCTIERNAN: In June of 2005, I got back on the bike. I just decided it was time. It was a really nice day, so I said, "This is it. I'm going to do it." So I got back on the bike and my first day I did-I did 12 miles, which made me feel real good.

NARRATOR: With rigorous training, Veronica was able to finish the 30-mile 2005 Bike Tour in four hours.

VERONICA MCTIERNAN: At the end, it felt very, very good to have been able to have done the ride. I hobbled off the bike, but that didn't matter because I was able to do it.

NARRATOR: With one success behind her, Ronnie continued to train. And this year, she finished the ride in three and a half hours. But just maintaining her time from one year to the next, helps her feel that she is beating her disease."

VERONICA MCTIERNAN: I have come to feel that every year that I can do the same distance that I did the year before is a real big deal for me, and it is the equivalent to the old days when I would crank up my mileage from one year to the other.

NARRATOR: Ronnie hopes her participation in the Bike Tour encourages others with MS to keep fighting.

VERONICA MCTIERNAN: I think that whatever your challenges are, I think that there is a way to work with them into your life. Don't roll over. Roll on.