SAFETY HARBOR, Fla., - Bradley Romp looks like a typical, healthy guy riding his bike. But for Bradley, the experience is anything but normal.
“Standing here right now, I really have no feeling in my legs and my left arm,” said Bradley. “Half of my face is numb. And I live with that 24/7.”
This has been Bradley’s reality since 2006 when the results of an MRI brought devastating news.
“I had lesions on my brain and spine and the result was I had MS,” Bradley said. “My outlook in life totally changed. It’s like I was this superman to my kids, I had this body armor on and that body armor came off.”
MS, or Multiple Sclerosis, is a disease that attacks your central nervous system, leaving lasting effects on both the brain and body. Despite the physical and mental anguish of living with MS, Bradley’s spirit has never wavered. One big reason for his strength has been the love and support of his wife, Michelle.
“She’s my rock, she’s my soul mate when I am out there riding,” said Bradley. “That just pushes me through to the next mile, to the next hill that is above me.”
There is also another inspiration behind Bradley’s passion for cycling – to raise money and awareness through Bike MS.
“These rides, we have about 70 overall through the nation raising $68 million and they fund the research for people like Brad, so that they can have a better quality of life,” said Eden Quayle, a development specialist for Bike MS. “Every time I hear Bradley’s story I am inspire all over again.”
“There’s no cure yet and that is the whole reason why I get on my bike each year to ride and raise money for this society,” Bradley said. “This is for people who can’t afford medications, wheel chairs, therapy, there is so much out there for people living with MS.”
Bradley will ride in the Bike MS: Citrus tour this weekend at ChampionsGate. Hopping on the bike alongside him will be 95.3 WDAE morning show host, Ronnie Lane of the “Ronnie and T-Kras Show”.
“When you see someone like Brad who lives with this every day and see what they go through every day, what I am dealing with, or what we are dealing with is nothing,” said Ronnie.
“I’ve kind of inspired him to get on his bike to ride and to raise money like I do,” said Bradley.
While the focus will always be on raising awareness and fundraising for MS, Bradley and Ronnie both agree that their bike ride can inspire others to overcome any bump in the road and push forward by living life to the fullest.
“Keep moving. And if you can move for a purpose like we are doing, it’s even better,” Ronnie said.
“Life doesn’t have to stop just because you have been given this obstacle,” said Bradley. “It’s how you handle the situation and you move forward with it.”
If you would like to donate to Bradley’s ride, Ronnie’s ride, or Bike MS, you can do so by clicking these links below:
Bradley Romp: https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=30196&pg=personal&px=3089796
Ronnie Lane: https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=30196&pg=personal&px=14086107
Bike MS: https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=BIKE_HOM_donate