Meet Mark Crockett
24 OCTOBER 2024
One phone call to MS Connect saved a life.
In 2014, Mark was 45 years old when doctors found multiple lesions on his brain and diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis. As a result, Mark lost his job as a train driver.
It was frustrating at the time, but since he’s not been able to work, Mark has loved being at home with his two beautiful kids. He wouldn’t change it for the world, not for anything.
Looking back at the early days of diagnosis, Mark recalls one of the hardest days he ever had, one that changed everything.
Mark remembers lying on the floor, curled up in a ball. He’d had enough.
The cumulation of the death of his mother, a drawn-out diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and living with the debilitating symptoms of MS, left Mark feeling out of control and hopeless.
I’d had enough, I’d had a gutful of this disease, I’d had enough of being sick. At the last minute, I thought of my family, picked up the phone and called the MS Connect hotline"
Mark says.
MS Connect saved my life. I don’t know who the lady was that I spoke to that day, I don’t even know her name, but I know I would not be here today if it wasn’t for her voice on the other end of that phone. It was just a phone call, but it pulled me through my darkest day. I can’t speak highly enough of the service; I wouldn’t be here without it.”
These days Mark is doing better. He loves fishing and photography – and cycling when his body feels up to it. Mark completed his first MS Gong Ride in 2017 and it changed him forever.
I got to that ride and there were people everywhere helping each other. That’s a life-changing thing."
Since riding in the MS Gong Ride and fundraising for MS, Mark has also become an MS Ambassador and supports other MS events, wanting to give back however he can.
I want to help others newly diagnosed and to give back to everyone who has helped me. If I can help just one person, that’s enough.”
By fundraising for the MS Gong Ride, you can help us to fund provide vital support services like MS Connect.
THANK YOU for riding to fight MS. You are changing lives.
