In preparation for a recent keynote speech for the National MS Society, I found a lady named Jo Franz who has MS. She, like me, is an inspirational speaker and author. She is NOT frightened by having MS, in fact she seems to embrace it. While she isn’t dressing up tonight, she might be able to give others a dressing down for complaining about the scary things they face with fear and trepidation. Life is too LONG to live in fear. Face your fears and overcome them… and have a Happy Halloween! (exert from her email below)

Well, you asked how often I volunteer for the National MS Society–as often as I can and am asked! I spoke locally for the Portland Walk to pump up those fund-raisers and was to speak for the Vancouver “unassuming heroes” luncheon, but they couldn’t get enough sponsors this side of the Columbia River so they had to cancel. (Portland is a much more booming business town.) We–the staff and I–were really excited about the new talk based on my book theme, SOAR, that I was going to give. I was asked to speak for the Seattle area bike ride but had another speaking engagement. The Portland chapter asked me to handle the entire upcoming spring Vancouver Walk event, but I knew it would take too much energy with my own speaking schedule and book promotion, so I had to turn it down. Having MS myself, I need to be careful NOT to overbook (and right now that’s a real priority since I’m trying to get the book out there–the initial months are crucial for a new book.)

As it is, my husband can hardly get me out of my office at 5:30 pm and is concerned for me because when I’m not speaking I need to veg, I’m so tired out! However, I can report that my neurologist is amazed at how well I’m doing. Four years ago he told me I was going into secondary progressive MS and this has been my best year in years! I believe God is empowering me for a fresh ability to get out there and encourage people!

Speaking as well as peer counseling, motivating others with MS is absolutely fulfilling for me. When I became a certified peer counselor in 1984, my husband of 15 years (who began an affair two years earlier with an older teenager) had left me and was filing a divorce I did not want. MS was part of his struggle. Learning that I was like others with MS, dealing with all the same emotions while still a Christian, helped me tremendously. So, I became what the Denver National MS Chapter said was “their best peer-counselor.” I know it was because of my faith, but I never spoke of that unless I was asked why or how I could be living like I was, with the attitude I had… then I could tell my “secret.”

While we lived in Orange County, CA, we were super-active with the MS Society. We rode our tandem in five tours and I spoke at the beginning of each ride where hundreds lined up, thanking them for raising funds… I spoke for a number of fund-raising events in the evenings, for sororities, support groups, gave Christmas concerts, and I peer-counseled while I continued my own speaking events.

I have ruined my thumb-joints from using forearm crutches since 1981, so I can’t ride the tandem in tours anymore, or ski (leaning into the outriggers is really tough on the and hands–did that ever bring a time of grieving the loss of a thrill!) I’m supposed to use a chair for distances instead of crutches so I don’t need thumb joint replacement surgery, which, after immobilizing me in casts for six weeks could render my arms and hands useless with MS.

But I have a joyful life of helping others through speaking, singing, and my book out there now. And Ray and I have found others avenues for adventure.

I am ALWAYS willing and wanting to motivate others to excel with whatever they have to soar unafraid through life!

HERE’S HOW TO CONTACT JO:
Soar Unafraid, Learning to Trust No Matter What
www.soarunafraid.com

www.jofranz.com
Inspirational & Motivational Speaker, Author, and Singer
360-687-1376

Tim Richardson is an inspirational speaker who speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and national conventions. He is the founder of the The Worlds Biggest Blog Party an event which will connect bloggers from all over the world to raise money for charity. He is also founder and president of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com