They all won silver medals in speed skating while representing Canada in Turin and now they’re riding in our tour! Shannon Rempel, Denny Morrison, Justin Warsylewicz & Alana Craus are not only proud to skate for Canada (and win!!), they’re also proud to support their dear friend, Crystal Phillips, in her fight against MS.

The following is Crystal’s story and why her team of seventy-four, MS Helia, is riding in the Calgary RONA MS Bike Tour.

My name is Crystal Phillips and I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. I am 20 years old and have been speed skating since I was six, with a dream of some day representing Canada at the Olympics.

There will always be many challenges that you need to face and overcome to make you stronger, to push yourself mentally and physically harder than you ever thought possible. In the spring of 2005 I had an interesting curve ball thrown at me when I least expected it. It started off with a tingly foot one morning. The next day the tingly, numb feeling progressed into both my legs up to my knees so I went to see a doctor who booked an appointment with a neurologist. He said, however, that if the numbness continued to progress I should go to the hospital. Many tests were done in the following two days as the numbness progressed quickly up to my chest. On the third day in the hospital as I waited anxiously for the MRI results with my mom by my side, a team of neurologists walked in. The looks on their faces turned my stomach and the concern in their voices as they greeted me struck a fear I've never known before. They sat me down and started talking and using big words I could not understand. Finally they said: “This is also known as multiple sclerosis”.

My first thought was that I was going to be in a wheel chair in a couple weeks and then pass away. I was confused about the purpose of my life. After moments of crying, shaking and silence over this devastating news, the neurologists explained that the disease is not a death sentence. They tried to encourage me by telling me that you can lead a pretty normal life, but all I wanted to hear was that I could still skate. They did not sound very optimistic about my skating but not once did they say that it was impossible and that’s all I needed, to stay motivated.

It took me about 4 long months to recover from the relapse but as soon as I was able, I started training again. At first, I eased my way back into training but was impatient and feeling so far behind my competition that I used anger and frustration to push myself harder and harder. Three months into the season I raced my first competition…the races were exceptionally exhausting but I pushed myself to skate all four of my distances instead of listening to my body. I skated well considering but was still nowhere near my potential. That weekend was not only exhausting physically, but, because I put a lot of pressure on myself and set unrealistic expectations, I was stressed out mentally as well.

Two days later, I woke up without any feeling on the entire left side of my body. That’s when reality hit me… “I have Multiple Sclerosis”. I did not truly believe or accept what had happened in the summer. I needed that second relapse to truly understand that I will have to deal with this illness.

I was tired of feeling sorry for myself. It was not getting me anywhere and only making matters worse. When I made that realization, it was like night and day. I had a whole new outlook on life. I learned to appreciate every little thing and figured out how to be at peace with myself no matter what. All the things that used to stress me out became so minor. I learned that mind over matter is a powerful tool and strongly believe that it was the reason I recovered twice as fast than I did in the summer.

I no longer dwell on the past or rely on the future. I live everyday to the fullest and have a new appreciation for everything in life…especially for all my family and friends who have always been by my side. It is inspiring to think about how many caring people there are in the world. My sisters and I have cycled the MS bike tour for eight years. We had no idea that one of us would eventually be diagnosed with the disease. Things happen for a reason.

My dreams have not changed, but rather the stepping stones to get me there. I look at my situation as an opportunity to make a difference. I want to be able to inspire others to always believe in themselves and have the strength to overcome all obstacles to reach whatever dreams they have. I know that if people work together, they could raise a lot of money to help MS research, find a cure and show how much they care.

If you belong to a team, you are eligible to buy “I Believe” bracelets for 75 cents each and use them as a fundraising tool! Examples:

“If you pledge me more than $100 you will receive a bracelet!”

Sell the bracelet for $3 each (money toward your pledge fundraising!)

TeamMS Award Categories

Top Fundraising Corporate Team

Top Fundraising Community Team

Top Fundraising Rookie Team

Highest Average Pledge per Team Member

Most Team Spirit

Best Team Uniform

Team Captain Outstanding Achievement Award

RONA is the Bike Tour's title sponsor providing prizing gift cards for the participants and advertising for the event.

Valentine Volvo donates rented vehicles for the event weekend plus a cash donation.

Atlas Vanlines (Canada) Ltd. - Jay's Moving and Storage and VersaCold provide pick-up and delivery services for pre and post event, storage for the year, and the use of trucks and drivers for the event.

TransCanada Pipelines & TransCanada Turbines provides the use of the facility and parking space in Airdrie.

Southland Transportation provides buses for relief of fatigued cyclists.

World Health Club donates a one year membership for prizing.