Carol Moiso has six goals for her 60th year of life. She crossed off her first goal, participating in the Vancouver Walk MS 5K, on Sunday thanks to help from her team and a borrowed recumbent bike. Moiso uses a wheelchair for most of her mobility after being diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis more than 20 years ago.
Her “Six for 60” goals include participating in Bike MS, zip-lining, riding on a jet boat, kayaking and taking part in the Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim. In 2012, she participated in the 1.1-mile swim held annually in Hood River, Ore.
Setting goals, she said, makes it easier to exercise. “I decided I was going to do something big this year, try something I haven’t done,” she said.
Initially for the 5K, Moiso wanted to walk 100 feet, but after a flare of mobility issues, Different Spokes of Portland, which specializes in bikes for adaptive cyclists, provided the bike. “The bike is the best exercise I can get,” she said.
The specialized bike from the Netherlands is a hybrid between a recumbent bike and a tricycle, propelled by a user’s arms and legs. It allows Moiso to switch between the hand and leg pedals if her limbs tire or spasm.
“(The 5K) was harder than I thought it was going to be, but it was still a lot of fun. Physically hard, but emotionally exhilarating,” she said.
Moiso only found out about the bike last year. Many people with MS had never heard about a bike suited for them; some were astounded at seeing Moiso going from wheelchair to bike, she said.
“To find something that is helping other people and yourself, and that you can enjoy,” she said, gives her motivation to keep exercising.
Two years ago, her neurologist timed her walking 25 feet with a cane. It took 20 seconds. Today, it takes her 50 seconds, or 40 seconds using a walker.
“MS doesn’t shorten my lifespan, but it takes my life by slowing me down,” she said. “I work really hard at staying busy to make up for it.”
She and her family are raising money to purchase Moiso a bike of her own to participate in Bike MS, which takes place July 31 through Aug. 2 in Monmouth, Ore. The price for the bike is $6,000. They have set up a GoFundMe page online, www.gofundme.com/newbikeforcarol, and already have raised about $2,200.
Though the shortest route during Bike MS is 33 miles, Moiso has set her sights on reaching the first rest stop, which is about 12 miles in. The support from others, Moiso said, gives her the encouragement to try harder.
“It really works two ways: Their faith in me inspires me, helps me do what I can to fight my MS,” she said. In return, she can raise awareness for MS.
For Moiso, the bike also means keeping up with her four grandchildren. “I feel like I’m doing normal things with the family and grandkids again.”
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