Carlsbad resident, Tim Salmon, was 32 years old when, one morning after a run the night before, he felt minor tingling in his right foot. The tingling quickly spread to his other leg then to both of his arms. “Being the stubborn individual that I am, I went surfing. When paddling on my board, I felt a strong squeeze on my stomach,” recalls Tim, who considers himself fortunate to meet a doctor who quickly pinpointed the possibility of MS. After an MRI exam and spinal tap, it was confirmed in May 2003 that Tim had multiple sclerosis. “I took the news to heart and honestly cried, which I never let myself do, before realizing this is just another obstacle to take in life and I must stay strong and fight.”
Tim utilized the chapter for assistance informing and educating his workplace about his MS, ideas on working with MS and understanding the various options he has in any situation. Additionally, the chapter steered Tim toward an assistance program so he could continue to receive his prescription treatment for MS when he no longer had insurance. “All the programs offered at the MS Society make me feel like I am a part of a giant warm and caring family. At any time I can pick up the phone and talk with the chapter to get information and more importantly, support.”
Among the many influential people in Tim’s life, he considers his wife, Leah, to be the most significant. “Leah always keeps me strong and positive. She does everything in her power to keep me healthy. We do everything together. She is my best friend and my wife. We believe in a lot of laughter and love everyday in life. Together, we are a strong team that will beat MS. She is my iron woman and my hero.”Leah recently trained with Tim and ran her first half marathon.
Leah and Tim have been participants in Bike MS since 2005. “My wife and I ride in the Bike MS Bay to Bay Tour every year and raise funds to find a cure for MS. We ride with some of the most amazing people on the planet, those that care to help us in the MS family. It is truly amazing how many people come out to support such an incredible and inspiring event. Not only does this event help those of us with MS, it helps the families and friends of those connected to someone with MS feel more secure knowing we are in good hands. The hard work of raising funds will truly pay off when you get responses and donations.”
Tim has found many ways to help manage his symptoms. Most importantly, he believes in staying healthy both mentally and physically through exercise. “Exercise helps to reduce stress and makes me feel good about myself and most importantly keep me positive.” Tim finds joy in swimming and was fortunate enough to be able to run for the first six years after his diagnosis. He completed a full marathon and five consecutive half marathons before his MS “took control” of his right leg.
In addition to his loving and supportive wife, Tim finds his strength with his family and friends, many of them who live back east in New Jersey. “When I first told my brother about MS, he was already on a flight out to California before I could hang up the telephone. We surfed and surfed and changed the name MS to the ‘MORE SURF DISEASE.’”
“MS brought AWARENESS to me how truly fortunate I am to be alive. I can still live a great life. Life can be tough and sometimes taken away from us without notice. I am still here and enjoy every day to its fullest.”
Though the cause of multiple sclerosis is not known, it is a disease of the central nervous system typically diagnosed in the prime-of-life years, ages 20-50. MS is the most common neurological disease leading to disability in young adults. To learn more about MS, Tim, chapter programs and services, fundraising events, sponsorship/underwriting chapter activities, or to donate, email stories@mspacific.org, visit www.MSpacific.org or call 1-800-486-6762.
Written by volunteer Leslie Christofferson