On a cold December morning in 1980, Paula Feldman was swept off her feet by a gust of wind and landed on the hard ice. Eight months pregnant, she went into labor. Tamara Feldman was born a few hours later. Once the baby was home, a black cat wandered in and sat below her cradle. The cat never left the baby and would signal the adults when the baby cried. Tamara has always had an affinity for animals. At eleven she would sit in the park, unmoving for hours at a time, convincing a wild rabbit to let her pet it. On a horse ride through the Badlands of South Dakota, in the middle of December, a wounded Red Tail Hawk landed on her lap as she sat reading a book. Traveling through Botswana, she squatted in the grass near a wild elephant for an hour, almost being able to touch his trunk. Also in Botswana she met a Giant Eagle Owl who eventually let her stand next to him, nose to nose. This is Henry.
These are just a few stories showing Tamara’s love and connection with animals. In 2016 Tamara will deepen her connection with animals once again traveling by horse across America. It will be a test of true companionship and trust... and the challenge of a lifetime.
“Because of this unpredictable nature of MS, patients often find it difficult to hold a job or maintain their normal daily routine. The unpredictable nature of the condition also results in a range of expenses both from treatments and earnings losses. According to one study, the lifetime cost per person with MS can be $2.2 million. According to another report, new treatments can cost $12,000 per year or more.”
“An autoimmune disorder, MS typically lies dormant for years before causing the immune system to attack healthy tissue. It usually surfaces between the ages of 20 and 40 and develops in more than twice as many women than men, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Symptoms range from blurred vision, fatigue, and pain to cognitive decline, tremors, and paralysis.”
After her diagnosis tamara wanted to just lay in bed but she knew she had to put her mind and body to the test. On the internet she came across the story of a woman with Multiple Sclerosis that climbed Mt. Everest. She said it was hard. Really, really hard. She had to stop more than most people because of the extreme exhaustion that MS can bring. But she did it! That was the first inspiring story Tamara came across. It wasn't the last, but that was the one that got her thinking.
“Lori Schneider became the first person with multiple sclerosis to summit
Mt. Everest, on May 23, 2009. Lori is also the first with MS to complete the Seven Summits, scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus, Mt. McKinley (Denali), Aconcagua, Vinson Massif, Mt. Kosciuszko, and Mt. Everest.”
Because that one story helped her more than the dozens of informative articles about medicine, exercises, diets and prayers. That one story showed that against all odds we can still achieve our highest potential! If that story helped Tamara so much immediately she knew that she had to create her own story that could reach even more people and inspire more hope. Dreams are the best antidepressants money can’t buy. Tamara felt that by demonstrating that she wasn’t ashamed of having a degenerative illness then others who were newly diagnosed might not feel so alone. At the very least, if everything fails and she finds herself in a wheelchair in 10 years, she’ll have had one hell of an adventure! So with a lot of preparation and a little blind faith she calls out to inspire you to ride with her and take part in the journey of a lifetime. To complete a horse ride across this country, and film it, we’re going to need your help... saddle up!
RIDE WITH US.
If you would like to join the journey, please click the donate button above to help us with our supply list. All donations not directly used for the journey will be donated to Nancy Davis's "Race to Erase MS". To Learn more click the link below.
In Beauty may I walk.
All day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons may I walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk.
With dew about my feet may I walk.
With Beauty may I walk.
With Beauty before me, may I walk.
With Beauty behind me, may I walk.
With Beauty above me, may I walk.
With Beauty below me, may I walk.
With Beauty all around me, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of Beauty,
lively , may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of Beauty,
living again, may I walk.
It is finished in Beauty.
It is finished in Beauty.
traditional Navajo Prayer Beauty Way