Friends don't let MS define them
WEST MILFORD — Lyndsay Wright is the head of the marketing department at Lantek Corp. in Lake Hopatcong, which sources and supplies electronic components. When she’s not working, she likes scrapbooking, being outdoors and volunteering.
The last two activities, being outdoors and volunteering, will come together on Sunday, April 27, at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park, when Wright, 24, and her team, “Demyelinate This,” participate in the Walk MS to raise money for research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. The team name represents “Try and break apart this,” and refers to the team’s attitude, strength and solidarity — they are unbreakable. It’s a fist in the face to MS, the disease which attacks myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers in the central nervous system.
Wright knows all too well about that.
Back in March of 2008, just when Wright was about to turn 18, ready to graduate high school and go off to college, she experienced numbness in her lower body and tingling in her feet. After testing, she was diagnosed with MS. The news was devastating, yet Wright had the strength of character to not allow MS to define her.
“Here I am six years later, living life and working full time,” she said, “And I do love a very adventurous life.”
Ever since her diagnosis, Wright has volunteered with the MS Society and participated in the Walk for MS. Two years after she was diagnosed, Wright was the subject of an article about her experience. Little did she know that it would inspire a former classmate at West Milford High School.
Helping a friend
Cassidy Buczewski is an active young woman who loves the outdoors and snowboarding. Two years ago, she was going through the testing process as doctors were trying to determine what was wrong. She said she knew something was coming. She received the MS diagnosis the day after she turned 21. “I was pretty upset; I know people in my family that have it,” Buczewski said.
Buczewski and Wright were friends in high school, and although they hadn’t talked since, they were Facebook friends. After reading the newspaper article, Buczewski reached out to her on Facebook. “It helped me a lot just to know she was doing ok and it didn’t really affect her that much,” said Buczewski.
Wright was happy to be of help.
“I really want to serve as an inspiration to people and have people [say] ‘look at Lyndsay; she’s someone young who was diagnosed and is living a full life’,” she said. “Never let life let you down, and keep being strong.”
“It meant a lot to me that an article did that for someone. Basically it was nice to see someone coming to me to learn about what life changes would come with the diagnosis,” Wright added.
Her own diagnosis at 18, Wright said, “was very difficult; probably one of the most difficult things I’ve had to go through.” The support system she had — her friends and family — have helped all along the way.
Joining forces
The two friends each participated with their own group in last year’s Walk MS. To date, they’ve raised thousands of dollars for research separately. This year, on the 25th anniversary celebration of Walk MS, they’ve joined forces and are co-captains of Team Demyelinate This, which will participate in the event. They invite all to come out to Overpeck County Park in Ridgefield Park and cheer them on. And they ask anyone who would like to donate, to walk with them or be a sponsor.
Together, with their team, they hope to wipe out MS for good.