Mar 11, 2009
A Chorus Group Of Troublemakers Sing Their Way To A Cure
Beth Norviel
A Chorus Group of “Troublemakers” Sing Their Way To A Cure
While many of us long for the ability to sing and even try to audition for shows like “American Idol” to showcase our abilities (for many to our embarrassment); the truth is that this beautiful talent only lends itself to a few special people. And when a group of people sing together we usually call it a “chorus” but never label them as a group of “troublemakers.” Well the name “troublemakers” stuck with National Multiple Sclerosis Society Gateway Area Chapter Walk MS participant, Lisa Royle, and her choir mates Cara, Chris and Debbie. Their bond created by singing in a professional competing chorus group that travels nationally caused other choir members to jokingly label the pals as “troublemakers.” Royle, who is also serving on the Society’s committee for the upcoming “Women on the Move Luncheon,” was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis years ago and attributes fundraisers like Walk MS “a support group that will always be there for me.” The “troublemakers” along with family members will be participating in the Walk MS event in Clayton on April 19th, and used part of their nick-name to title their Walk MS team in support of Lisa: “Royle Trouble.” While the singing group will be competing in the “Regional Competition of Sweet Adeline’s” the following week-end after their walk, with Walk MS events held April 4-May 2nd throughout the St. Louis metro area, Royle believes that everyone’s participation is critical.
“I participate because I still can,” said Royle when asked why she continues to participate year after year. “I get out of the bed in the morning, take a mental note of how I feel, and decide it’s going to be a good day. I can still walk. I can still feed myself breakfast and I can go off to my job and be just like the rest of the world-functional….maybe in pain, but functional.”
While the annual National MS Society Gateway Area Chapter Walk MS event gives Lisa hope that a cure will be found some day, she believes the team sports mentality that is created by participating in these walks should be enough to make anyone want to do it.
“The ‘what’s in it’ for them is the group sports mentality. It’s fun, it’s a team activity, it’s physical and it’s for a good cause. Hopefully someday MS will be eradicated and all of us can move on to support the next debilitating disease.”