Florence Gulf War veteran volunteers for Bike MS

Yesterday, two new volunteers registered as Main Street Mashers, the Florence based charity bicycling team formed to raise money for the Bike MS Round Up Ride, a fund raising event for the Arizona Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Jeff and Michele Harbison live with multiple sclerosis every day.

In September 2007, Jeff was hospitalized for numbness and lack of muscle control on his right side. Most noticeable was difficulty with smiling, talking and opening his mouth to eat. His right arm and leg were affected as well. Doctors suspected multiple sclerosis at the time, but a spinal tap yielded negative results. He was released and instructed to “wait for it to happen again.” It took seven months, and in April 2008, immediately following the first Round Up Ride in Florence, he was officially diagnosed with MS.

Jeff enlisted in the United States Marine Corps right out of high school in 1984 and served until 1997. After leaving the Marines, he worked for the Arizona Department of Corrections until 2001. A veteran of the Persian Gulf War, he has been diagnosed with Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

Jeff and Michele have been married since 1985. “Michele is my Wonder Woman,” declares Jeff. “Due to many issues we have had a rough time. Usually I was the cause of the issues.”

When an individual is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it affects the entire family. In the Harbisons’ case, Michele has been there through thick and thin. Jeff added, “When BP (Bipolar Disorder) came along and I was not working anymore, she stayed strong and when needed, worked two jobs to keep us afloat. Now with my MS, she continues to work, and supports me emotionally and physically, including hauling the trash! Many of the household chores and cooking are done by her. She makes the trips to the pharmacy to pick up my meds. She made the call to get my rolling walker when I needed it. I still have it and use it when I have to be on my feet for awhile. She argued with our apartment manager to get me a portable hand rail and shower nozzle on a hose.”

Jeff has a weekly regimen of injecting Rebif, a drug that helps decrease the frequency of relapses and delays the occurrence of some of the physical disability that is common in people with MS. “I do have memory issues that have not gotten any better, but the numbness and lack of muscle control on my right side have improved and maintain a level that allows me to walk, drive, or whatever for short periods,” he tells us.

In addition to the physical and emotional issues, two hospitalizations plus testing and specialists were very expensive. Good friends held a golf tournament that helped with copays, coinsurance and other debt.

Before multiple sclerosis affected his balance, Jeff’s passion was motorcycling. He started the first chapter of American Legion Riders in Arizona and rode daily. He helped other posts establish chapters and was a co-founder of Operation Wounded Warrior, an organization that delivers health and comfort items to wounded service personnel in military medical facilities. Not able to ride anymore, he now serves as chaplain for both Chapter 129 of the American Legion Riders and for American Legion Post 129. “In my role as chaplain, I lead the prayer for the opening and closing of our meetings and for our riders before embarking on a ride. They are on motorcycles instead of bicycles and every prayer includes mention of our troops overseas in harms way.”

He keeps a realistic attitude and approach to life. “I try to keep from getting my hopes up too high, but I have kept my sense of humor. A laugh does great things for the soul. I enjoy trying to make others laugh as well. We are where we are. We can only do the best we can to work through things. We have a lot to work through, but we aren't living on the streets and we can enjoy fast food once a payday.”

Jeff offered to help with the Main Street Mashers at the suggestion Dr. Dario Lizarraga, a four year bicyclist with the team. He responded enthusiastically, “I want to do what I can to help with registration or information tables or whatever else is needed.” He added, “I would be honored to lead a prayer for the Main Street Mashers, both riders and volunteers, and would gladly include a blessing for those who suffer with this illness.”

And that my friends, is why we ride.

Multiple Sclerosis and Persian Gulf War Veterans

In September 2008, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society announced a new research project funded by the United States Department of Defense. This information comes from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s website.

Multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and fibromyalgia now are recognized by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments as potentially connected to service during the Persian Gulf War.

While there are no official numbers of Gulf War veterans with MS, the 500 veterans who signed onto a support group at MSVets@Yahoogroups.com, general government figures and anecdotal information from others merit study, said Senator Patty Murray.

"It seems to me that the numbers are high enough and the scientific evidence is enough that we should err on the side of the veterans in this," Murray added.

This project and others like it can help Jeff and other American veterans who may have contracted MS as a result of their service to our country.

This is just one more reason why our fund raising efforts are so important.