05/30/2026
🧠 Saturday Spotlight: Looking Back, Moving Forward
Today also happens to be World MS Day.
If you know Patty G., you know she's hilarious, incredibly intelligent, full of s***k, and always keeps people laughing. When Patty misses something, her absence is noticed and felt.
Patty has a way of helping other people's lives eLeVate despite facing her own adversity.
For those who don't know her, Patty was diagnosed with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis more than 30 years ago.
A quote that always makes me think of Patty is from Cheryl Strayed:
"We don't have a right to the cards we believe we should have been dealt. We have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones we're holding."
Whether it's life's hand of cards or her tarot cards, Patty does exactly that.
Some days are hard, to say the least. Yet she still shows up.
She is a writer, a concert-goer, the best seated chair Zumba dancer I know, witty, resilient, incredibly intelligent, a wife, a mother of three, and my friend. She started high school at age 12 and graduated from the University of Michigan at age 16.
For years, I've had the privilege of walking alongside Patty, not just at an MS Walk, but through adaptive pickleball, therapy, & adaptive group fitness classes, nights out for pizza, with plenty of laughter!
Last week we checked out Road Less Traveled Bookstore and were impressed by both the accessibility and kindness we found there… & Ikons picture up on the wall!
Patty independently navigated the bookstore in her power chair, browsed the shelves, cracked jokes, and purchased a shirt that read:
"GET LIT."
While checking out she said,
"I can't read naked... at least not in public."
Needless to say, we were laughing.
Afterward, we grabbed a brewski and grilled cheese on the patio at Farmington Brewery.
Tonight we're getting amped for Bingo together.
Next week she's headed to share her story at Baker College to Dr. Metti’s master level of OT students class, go Adaptive Scuba Diving in Howell, and in August we'll be attending Dirt Days, an adaptive off-roading event in Holly!
Remember that quote?
We're doing exactly that.
Patty, thank you for reminding me that our strengths will always outweigh our limitations. Thank you for your friendship, your humor, your perspective, and your ability to make every room a little brighter.
Thank you for helping my life eLeVate!!
See you soon, girl. 🩵🧡
