“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. Give your
dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.” - William James
Anything is possible when you push yourself to the limit.
All About Team Lean
Team Lean is a dream team with two legs and two wheels. Two legs, that's me......my name is
Karen and I have Multiple Sclerosis. Two wheels, that's Melissa, and she has Cerebral Palsy.
Individually....Our symptoms have challenged us.... have limited us....... have paralyzed us from
enjoying parts of life that many people take for granted.
Together......Our symptoms have challenged us.......to break the limits........and to cross whatever
"finish line" we set for ourselves.
I have MS. I have been in a wheelchair. I have been totally dependent on others to provide my care. I
am in remission now, I am on my feet, I don't take any second for granted and I want to do things
that I never thought I would ever be able to do again. I have faced many fears and challenges with
my symptoms and I am now RUNNING. I have completed 5k's and even a 5 mile race. I crossed
my finish line and now believe that anyone can accomplish great things.
Balance problems, fatigue, spasticity, chronic pain, vision problems among other challenges
remain apart of my life. When I cross the finish line at the end of a race, it isn't a pretty sight. I
collapse and I am carried to the ground.........in time I am back on my feet with my spirits soaring in
the clouds.
One day a young woman heard about my racing and how I collapse at the finish line. This young
woman did not tell me how crazy I was for doing what I was doing. This young woman knows what
it is like to face challenges. This young woman has never been on her feet. This young woman
lives her life in her wheelchair and is totally dependent on others to provide her care. This young
woman told me that the next time I run that I could lean on her electric wheelchair so that I would
not collapse at the finish line. This was the beginning of TEAM LEAN...........
We have been practicing on the weekends. I have been encouraged to push my own limits even
further now. I am strength training my arms and legs. My goal is to lean on my new friends
wheelchair and allow her to experience crossing the finish line. My new friend has lived her life
being a hero to others. I want to do something for her! We dream about having a racing chair that
would suit both our needs.
I refuse to be disabled. I still work full time. I am a social worker on an inpatient physical rehab unit.
I journey with familes every day and it is an honor to assist my patients and their families to
embrace their challenges. I work with a team of therapists and nurses who have joined TEAM
LEAN and they are helping us face our challenges. The people of TEAM LEAN give inspirational
talks to our patients. The spirit is quite catchy. A person can cross any finish line......if they have
someone/something to lean on.
Push it to the limit!!!!!!!
Karen White, LCSW
Team Lean LA
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
