December 2019 – Fox and Burrow Journey to End MS

This whole hike the Appalachian Trail has truly been a bear, or should I say just a pain in the ass. This thing of carrying everything you will need in a backpack and sleeping outside. OK that part I love, for that matter I think I can say we both love that part of the trip. Yes we both love the whole hiking and backpacking idea for maybe a week, maybe two weeks at the most. I think if I pushed it a month would be OK. When I first came up with the idea I never even comprehended this trail needing more than couple of months to complete. Yes, Koreen would try to set me down and say it is so going to take so much longer than a couple of months. I would pat her on the back and say whatever and go back to a very complicated game of solitaire or maybe this day I was playing Texas hold em. Whatever it was I was in huge state of denial. Because the panic that hit me the day we actually started this Appalachian beast, or should we call it some sort of death march, was so overwhelming. I do believe a state of anxiety so great that it would rival showing up to class without my homework, or was it that recurring dream of going to class nude. Yea that last one would sum up the anxiety felt. 2192 miles what the hell? As we pushed on day after day and more miles, I would go into negotiations with Koreen regarding finishing or lack of finishing the trail. Each time I would go into my speech of how this was a bad idea on my part. Really do we need to finish this trail? I would look at her face and see a totally different look. This hike is important to Koreen. NO not the actual walk of the Appalachian Trail but the fact I, Koreen, can do this hike. We all know so very well Koreen can do this hike blind folded, but to her she needs to complete this trail every step, no exceptions. Just like when we were riding bikes for the cause she had to push not just to ride but to ride fast and even faster up hills. This hike or her bike rides are not just something to sluff off they are her way of beating the shit out of MS. People say being a caregiver is so hard because you have to watch the person living with the disease suffer. Hey Koreen turn around look way back on the trail yea that is me. She is a beast and she handing MS a beating like no other. Yes this is important to her so it is important to me as well. So we hike, bike and fundraise till we beat this thing called MS. Because really Koreen has MS, MS does not have her.
-David Fox

I don’t know about you guys … but I have just straight been in awe of these two MS warriors since the first time they discussed with me that they were going to ~~try to~~ tackle the Appalachian Trail. I really never had any doubt that they would do it. I think most of us who have had the privilege to get to know these two realize that Koreen will make anything happen after she sets her mind to it. And where Koreen goes, so goes David. For better or for worse. Right? It’s just that I was in awe that they simply weren’t stopping after their previous endeavors. That they had completed a pretty awesome accomplishment when they swept through all 50 states on MS bike rides, only to continue on to set even higher goals by undertaking the formidable journey that is the Appalachian Trail. Yet again furthering their hand in supporting a cure for MS.

The end of Rabbit and Greyhound’s journey came and went quietly here in the internet realm. Because they not only finished earlier than expected, but also in time to go be with their family for the holidays. Celebrating Thanksgiving with Family in Florida, picking up their cat Francis (who by now probably doesn’t remember who they are and will need convincing to return back to RV life), and have hitchhiked (kidding …) their way home to Las Vegas. There they have been soaking in some well deserved rest for the last few weeks. Although, according to Dave, Koreen is still finding her way out of the house to sneak in day hikes from time to time. Because apparently, she’s addicted.

All of it makes me look back, as I have many times along the way during the last 7 months, and realize, I could do more. Couldn’t we all? But they’re out there doing it. Over and over again. It’s amazing, to say the least. However, YOU too are apart of that amazing success! Because with your help, Rabbit and Greyhound have raised over $15,000 in donations to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and it’s bold mission to see a “World Free of MS”! $15,000! And I tell you what my friend, that is just damn fine human-ry right there. I am proud to know them, and I am thankful to be apart of their community of givers.

As most of us know, Koreen is indeed a force to be reckoned with, and an inspiration to all those who would otherwise like to shake their fist at this disease and may not be as capable. But I’m not gonna lie, every step of their journey (both on trail and off), I am continually impressed with the manly steps David takes to keep up with his fireball of a wife. MS does not keep Koreen down. But it sure as hell doesn’t keep Dave down either. And as we celebrate in Koreen’s constant waving of the “F-YOU” flag to MS, I would also like to give a quick shout out to Dave and all the other loved ones who support a family member or friend with MS. David and Koreen are the perfect example of how important it can be to have someone by your side who is willing to walk, crawl, scoot, or wheel their way with you through life. I admire them both and am amazed at how hard they work to find a cure for this crappy MS card they have been delt. It is my hope that those of you who are also battling MS have an equally stubborn and supportive loved one in your life cheering you on and keeping you tethered to the real you, the one that MS does not define, and will not contain. And if you have one of those special people in your life, they know you are grateful, but give them a little extra love back today and every day to honor their side of your story. And if you don’t have one of those people in your life, reach out to this beautiful MS community, it is chock full of people ready to throw some love your way.

For our part to the end of this tale, I would encourage you all to join in on their excitement in pushing through yet another incredible effort to support the mission of a world free of MS. Take this opportunity to fully, and wholeheartedly, congratulate them on their success. Leave a note here on the blog, give them a call (now that they have reliable service), or send them a message on FB to shout out your admiration of their accomplishments. (Perhaps just not as long windedly as I myself do, and did.) 😉

And without further ado, and because I know you love them too, and have been anxiously following their journey, please enjoy their final trail video, with all the love and good feels that come along with it.