Sheri Paulson’s next journey in MS cause: 150 miles

"Making my mark against MS one step at a time." — Sheri Paulson

By NEIL O. NELSON

Sheri Paulson has been running and walking in the fight against Multiple Sclerosis since 2006.

First diagnosed with the disease in April 2001, Paulson has successfully completed two full-marathons, seven half-marathons, a sprint triathlon and numerous 10ks and 5ks runs. Individually, she has raised more than $10,000 in the fight against MS.

Next week, the former Hillsboro banker will participate in the MS Ride the Wind bike ride, an event that will take riders from Fargo to Wahpeton and back.

Paulson will be riding with the 48-member Team Road Rash; this is the fifth year Team Road Rash has participated in the MS150 for North Dakota bike event.

More than 50 team riders last year raised $24,000 for the MS Society.

Riders in the MS Ride the Wind sojourn will leave Fargo next Saturday (July 26) and return Sunday.

Sheri Paulson is dedicating her ride this year to Dr. Karen Garnaas, one of her Fargo doctors.

Garnaas, the neurologist who first suspected Sheri had contracted Multiple Sclerosis, has proven to be a guardian angel, said Paulson.

“At first, it was a relief to finally have a name for what was going on with me. This, however, was soon replaced with anger, fear and depression.”

The Galesburg wife and mother admitted to being angry.

“I felt like I was being cheated out of life.”

Dr. Garnaas encouraged Sheri to continue her treatment.

In time, she started regaining her strength and energy.

“I started being more optimistic. I researched MS and became knowledgeable.”

Knowledge, she says, is power.

Sheri Paulson started to help herself. She learned to take care of herself, first, and to listen to her body.

And she started running. And praying. She asked God for six more years.

Meantime, she promised herself: “To live today with no regrets, not to look back and say, ‘I wish I had done that,’ but rather say, ‘I’m glad I did that.’”

She recently passed the six-year mark.

“MS has given me the appreciation of the things I used to take for granted. I have MS but it does not have me.”

Her life has not stopped, she tells friends.

She’s still living, dreaming and setting goals.

“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They make the best of everything.”

Running, walking or biking, she knows she’s helping beat MS one step at a time.

“I will continue giving as long as I am able to.”

Sheri’s goal, a dream shared by many, she knows, is to free the world of Multiple Sclerosis.

“Where no one has to hear the words: ‘You have MS.’”

She understands she’s just one person trying to make a difference. But, along the way, she hopes she offers hope to others.

“We all have the ability to somehow make a difference.”

Employed by Dakota Heritage Bank in Hillsboro from Nov. 2005 to Aug. 2007, Paulson now works for Bank of the West in Fargo.

Hillsboro friends can follow Sheri’s progress on her web page: www.teamroadrash.org/sheri paulson.htm. They can contribute to her fight against MS by sending a check to: NMSS, 15143 10th St. SE, Galesburg, N.D. 58035.