Bike MS Champion - Pam Wucher

Pam Wucher has been riding with MS almost as long as she has been living with MS, participating in 16 Bike MS rides since being diagnosed in 1999.  With the support of family and friends, a positive perspective, and of course, staying active, Pam continues to ride for all those who cannot.  

Q: When were you diagnosed?

Pam: January 1999.

Q: Were you familiar with MS at the time?

Pam: I was somewhat familiar, ironically, only because I had ridden the MS150 in 1995 and had researched it a little for my fundraising letters.  I did not know anyone with MS, at least I didn’t think I did. The Internet was not what it is today when I was diagnosed. I can recall going to the bookstore and looking through every book they had on the subject, I didn’t like what I read.

Q: How has MS affected you and your family?

Pam: I try not to let it affect me in a negative way; I feel fortunate that since my diagnosis I have not had any major relapses. I have a close family and many friends that I know I can count on if needed.  I have a 7 year old daughter that gives me purpose and urges me to stay strong even when I don’t feel like it. She knows I have MS and as she gets older she is more inquisitive. She knows I give myself a shot every day to help keep me healthy. Other than that we don’t really think about it in a way that affects our lives. 

 
Q: What do you think is the most difficult part about living with MS?

Pam: Not knowing what tomorrow may bring.

Q: Have you discovered any unexpected silverlinings?

Pam: Absolutely. Being diagnosed prompted me to maintain a more active lifestyle. I have completed many long distance bike rides, several half marathons, one full marathon, and triathlons from sprints to half-Iron [Man] distances. Through that commitment, I have made lifelong friends. Met others with MS and learned about how they deal with symptoms. I have shared my story publicly at several speaking engagements, something I never thought I would have the nerve to do.

Q: What advice would you give to someone recently diagnosed with MS?

Pam: Pay attention to your body, you know it best. Exercise, eat right, and stay rested. Most importantly, do not let this diagnosis keep you from doing anything, just be smart about how much you take on. You have it, it doesn’t have you.

 

Q: How did you get involved in Bike MS?

Pam: In 1995, I had decided I should dust off my bike and took it to get tuned up. I saw a flyer at the bike shop and mentioned it to a friend of mine. Turned out there was a group of our friends that had already signed up, so we joined them. I rode that first year on a mountain bike with big knobby tires; needless to say it was excruciating, but I finished…with the SAG wagon driving very close behind for the last few miles! In 1999, when I told my friend that I was diagnosed with MS, she barely skipped a beat and looked me square in the eye saying, “Well, I guess you know what we have to do this year.” For a brief second I thought she was crazy and didn’t really hear what I said. I have ridden every year since… I do not ride a mountain bike anymore.

Q: You have been riding for a long time! What changes have you seen over the years? 

Pam: So many changes and yet still the same. It has probably grown 3x the size or more since I first rode. Team tents didn’t exist the first few years I rode. Team jerseys were just catching on, and now teams are the biggest part of the ride, showing your pride and support with your jerseys and tent.  The volunteers continue to be phenomenal, as is the staff at the MS Society. That being said…the introduction of the shower trucks is by far one of the best additions.  It continues to be an event I look forward to every year. 

Q: Tell me about your team. How did it start?

Pam: I started a friends and family team in 2000 called Pam’s Pedalers, which stayed together until 2011.  At one point we grew to 35-40 members, if I recall correctly. One year, 4 of my 5 siblings rode, several cousins, and many friends.  In 2012, I joined United by Design.  UBD was formed in 2010 and had been formed by several architectural product reps.  2008 and 2009 were tough years for the architectural and design community and many of our colleagues were displaced and began moving around quite a bit so the team was formed as a means of networking and staying in touch…hence the name, United by Design. Many of the members are in a creative profession and share a love of cycling while devoting time to a great cause.  Many have chosen to support this cause, having never been personally affected. They are the real champions in my mind.

Q: How has Bike MS impacted you? Do you have a favorite part of the ride?

Pam: Bike MS has been such a huge part of my life; this is my 17^th year riding, 16^th riding with MS. Last year to celebrate 15 years of riding with MS, I completed back to back centuries. It motivates me throughout the year to continue to stay strong so I can always ride for those that cannot, or to perhaps encourage someone to get out there and ride for themselves or someone they love.  Receiving notifications of donations and reading the well-wishes definitely ranks at the top. I truly feel honored to know so many caring and generous people. While I love riding, my favorite part of the event is the rest stops. It is always good to see friends you have met through the years, talk with the volunteers, hear their stories, meet others with MS, and just relax for a minute with your teammates. The finish line is always good to see, too.  

Q: This is the 30^th anniversary of the Gateway ride. What would you like to see accomplished in the next 30 years?

Pam: A cure, of course. In 1999 I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS, and there were only three approved drugs on the market.  At that time, my doctor informed me that there was a window of time, could be 5, 10, maybe 15 years, they just didn’t know. But at some point there was a good chance that symptoms would worsen and it could change to a more progressive form. We have come a long way, both in our knowledge of the disease and the ability to treat this disease. I had two major relapses leading to my diagnosis and have been on Copaxone since that time, remaining for the most part, symptom free.