Epic in-state journeys from baseball @ Comerica to lawmakers @ the Capitol

Some couples spend their weekends at home, catching up on to-do lists and binging shows on Netflix. But over the past few weeks, Dan and I have been racking up the miles across Michigan.

From Dearborn to Detroit, Lansing to Ann Arbor, we’ve been on the road, with plenty of MS-related purpose along the way.

Pssst! When you’re done reading this post and admiring the fun photos, be sure to listen to our behind-the-scenes conversation about all this in our A Couple Takes on MS Podcast’s Episode 87 – Taking on taste, Tigers & 20 years of teamwork.

Generous helpings

Our first stop was the 2025 National MS Society Taste of Generosity event at the Dearborn Farmer’s Market in Metro Detroit. What a night! It was an inspiring reminder of how powerful the MS community is when we come together to raise funds, share stories, and support one another. Events like this fuel our energy and remind us why advocacy and awareness matter so much.

We were so grateful for the opportunity to attend the NMSS Taste of Generosity in Royal Oak.

Play ball!

Next up, downtown Detroit. Nothing says summer like baseball, and we were thrilled to catch the Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Fun fact: this was the second Sox game of the year for us — the Red Sox in Boston earlier this summer and now the White Sox in Detroit. Baseball and ballpark snacks? Yes, please.

After entering Comerica Park and getting our first glimpse of the ball diamond, of course we needed to snap a pic by the D.
How fun is it that as we were waiting for the Tigers to take the field, my caregiver Jen (who went to Detroit with us) caught Dan and me in this selfie-centered moment?
We had such great accessible seats for the game! Bonus: We got to see Tigers ace and last year’s American League Cy Young Award-winner Tarik Skubal pitch for Detroit.
Dan, Jen and I soon remembered that one of the best things about seeing a game at a Major League ball park, especially if you have a physical disability, is that there are vendors who bring hot dogs and drinks right to where you’re sitting.
Hooray! The Tigers shut out the White Sox 6-0.

State of advocacy

Our travels then took us to Lansing for the NMSS State Action Day. This stop was less about hot dogs and more about having critical conversations, as we met with Michigan legislators and their legislative aides to discuss medical debt. It’s not the most glamorous topic, but it’s an essential one. Sharing our personal experiences and advocating for change is how progress happens, one discussion at a time.

Sometimes when we attend events, Dan has to walk a little further than his legs have the energy to take him. So, it’s not unusual for him to hitch a ride on the back of my power wheelchair. Going the four blocks from where we parked to Michigan’s State Capitol building for NMSS State Action Day was one such event.
It was great to have Anna Meyer, our NMSS Director of Advocacy and Activist Engagement (at right), at the Action Day to join us in meeting with Michigan legislators and their aides, including Mitchell Schumacher, the legislative aide for our State Senator Roger Hauck.
One of the highlights of State Action Day is advocating alongside activists who were so fundamental in guiding us from the beginning of our advocacy journey (from left): Glenn Lietaert, Linda Maier, and Ruth Linnemann.
We had a productive meeting with Grey Skudlarick, the legislative aide for our State Representative Jerry Neyer.
As always, it was great to have my caregiver Jen with us to advocate for MS- and caregiving-related issues.

Neurology knowhow

Finally, we wrapped things up in Ann Arbor for our annual appointment with our neurologist, Dr. Tiffany Braley. After more than 25 years of living with MS, we don’t walk into these visits with long lists of questions anymore. Still, it’s important to check in, talk through what’s changed, and get that sense of reassurance from a trusted medical partner.

For as much as we appreciate in-home virtual visits with Dr. Braley, it’s always great too see her in-person at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

So, was this all a whirlwind? Absolutely. But each stop reminded us that life with MS is about so much more than the challenges. It’s about community, advocacy, laughter, and the occasional ballgame. And if our road map this past month is any indication, Dan and I are still moving forward.

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