11-Year-Old Walker Reynolds Swims for His Mom and Others with MS
Shana Stern and Walker Reynolds
“I have a child who has had to see his mother in pain, stuck in bed, on medications – because of my MS,” explains Shana Stern of Austin, Texas. “And because of this, my child is incredibly empathetic and compassionate.”
Shana, who was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and recently featured in MSAA’s Art Showcase, is proudly referring to her 11-year-old son Walker Reynolds who embarked on a remarkable and inspiring quest this summer. Walker is using his love of swimming to help raise money to improve the lives of those living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
By participating in MSAA’s Swim for MS fundraiser, Walker has set an ambitious goal of swimming one minute for every dollar donated this summer up to $1,600. Plus, at the end of the summer on his 12th birthday, he will do a cannonball for every dollar donated over his goal.
Serving as MSAA’s national signature fundraiser, Swim for MS encourages participants to set a swimming-related challenge, such as swimming laps over a set time or distance while recruiting friends and family to donate to MSAA in support of their goals. Swim for MS is any pool, any time – how volunteers choose to participate is completely up to them.
“I think Swim for MS is a cool way for kids to be world participants – and actually begin to make a difference in the world and to the lives of many people,” Walker says of the fundraiser. “When I saw that for $600 I raise, a person with MS who can’t afford a wheelchair could be given one. That really motivated me.”
In addition to swimming, Walker loves art, like his mother, and enjoyed seeing her painting in MSAA’s Art Showcase. “When my mon’s vision got to too bad for her to keep writing, she began to paint. And because she kept dropping brushes, she created her own method of painting, using only her fingers. People in Austin really liked what she does and started buying her pieces. Her painting and art is what keeps her going on bad days because she can just lose herself in the paints and colors. It was great to see it on your website!”
While Walker continues to hit the water and swim his daily laps, Shana has been actively promoting his amazing Swim for MS challenge to family, friends, and the general community through emails and social media posts. As one could imagine, Shana’s admiration for her son is immeasurable.
“I am so extremely proud of Walker for trying to do something to help others in the world, especially at his age. I’m grateful to him for constantly being my inspiration to fight through whatever difficulties I face that day. He gives me reason to keep living.”
MSAA certainly echoes these wonderful and well deserving praises of Walker and his dedication and compassion to help others in need. We greatly appreciate his efforts and encourage anyone interested in helping Walker meet or exceed his goal to please visit his Swim page at: http://support.mymsaa.org/goto/WalkerReynolds .
Stories to Inspire is a regular feature in My MSAA Today, our bi-monthly eNewsletter. Sign up to receive email updates from MSAA to have the newsletter delivered right to your inbox!
